THE policing element of council tax across the Northumbria force area is set to increase by 7p per week for a Band A property and 10p per week for a Band D property.

The Police and Crime Panel for Northumbria has unanimously approved the proposal by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Dame Vera Baird, following public consultation on the rise.

Commissioner Baird said: “The Government continues to cut police funding and since 2010 Northumbria has had to make £123m of cuts and efficiencies to manage the impact of government funding reductions.

“Despite Government claims, the only way our police budget will not be cut, is if every PCC in the country raises their precept by the maximum amount possible.”

The government is telling the 10 police forces with the lowest police precept to increase by the sum of £5 per band D house per year and Northumbria is one of those.

“Local residents have told me that they value neighbourhood policing and to ensure Northumbria continues to deliver effective policing, I’m left with no choice but to raise the precept to ensure the police have the resources to cut crime and continue delivering excellent neighbourhood policing for the people of Northumbria,” said the Commissioner.

“Northumbria still has the lowest police precept in the country at £65.55 for a Band A property. ”