Police slice of Cornwall tax cash to rise next year in face of government cuts

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel confirmed Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg's policing budget for 2016-17, which includes a 1.99 per cent rise on the force's council tax precept, which equates to 6.5p per week for a band D property.

Mr Hogg said: "I am very pleased that the panel has supported my budget. It will mean that we can offset a 0.6 per cent reduction in government funding."

"This increased revenue, raised locally, will cancel out the shortfall of around £1.8m in government funding."

Last week Mr Hogg said that although cuts in grant funding from central government would cost the force around £1m next year additional increased costs meant the funding shortfall was closer to £1.8m, which will be cancelled out by the new tax rise.

He said: “Efficiency and value for money remain at the heart of my financial plan and significant savings still need to be made. Since 2009 we have delivered over £58m savings and an additional £13m is still to be found over the next four years.

“The strategic alliance with Dorset police and ever greater collaboration with local partners and other blue light services will help meet this target.

“Work continues to identify further savings and target more funds at priority areas that are important to communities, but any fall in income has an obvious effect on the police’s ability to operate at the front line and keep the people of Devon and Cornwall safe and secure.”

Proposing the budget, Devon and Cornwall Police calculated that without an increase there would be 75 fewer officers devoted to priority areas, including protecting children from sexual abuse, protecting men and women from domestic and other physical abuse, and protecting communities from terrorists.

Other key points the force said the rise would help address are keeping police at the heart of the community, investing in a better 101 service, and tracking down online criminals.