In a bid to address the escalating demand for policing services, Avon and Somerset Constabulary has successfully lobbied for a significant increase in their share of council tax. Police and crime commissioner Clare Moody, in her first budget since 2024, advocated for the maximum allowable increase during the recent meeting with the Avon and Somerset police and crime panel.
The proposed rise is set to inject an additional £8.5 million into policing, amounting to a 14% increase per year for a Band D property, which serves as the average for calculating council tax bills. Justifying the need for this surge, Ms. Moody cited the expanding pressure on officers, encompassing non-policing responsibilities, alongside the surging crime rates across the region.
Chief constable Sarah Crew presented a compelling case to the panel, highlighting the heightened strain on the force. Shockingly, officers in Avon and Somerset are now tasked with investigating an average of 40 crimes, a stark rise from the 13 reported in 2014. Furthermore, a substantial portion of their time is consumed by duties such as safeguarding individuals with mental health concerns, diverting them from regular patrol and public disturbance interventions.
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Ms. Crew emphasized, “As other public services have retreated, police officers are being asked to do a lot more - crime accounts for 25% of their time.” Consequently, the increased confidence in reporting crimes has led to a surge in reported offenses, further intensifying the demands on officers’ time.
Reported figures showcased a staggering 207% increase in rapes and sexual assaults, nearly 500% rise in recorded knife crimes, and an alarming surge of almost 1,500% in reported internet child abuse offences. Such alarming statistics have left a mere 23.7% of officers feeling they have a manageable workload, reflecting the strain on the force.
The increase in the police precept is intended to bolster recent successful initiatives, including Operation Hardy, resulting in a 54% reduction in knife-related street crimes within six months. Additionally, the infusion of 1,842 new officers into the force since 2019 stands to counteract the previous officer reductions enforced during the austerity measures initiated in 2010.
This approved rise equating to £14 annually for a Band D property, is projected to generate an additional £8.5 million for policing. Notably, the average rise translates to a mere 27p per week, with less than one in six households likely to pay this level, ensuring a mild impact on the majority.
Following the panel meeting, Councillor Heather Shearer, who chaired the session, emphasized the necessity for the increased investment to yield tangible enhancements in service. Acknowledging the financial burden on residents, she emphasized the need for the additional funding to result in palpable positive outcomes and reinforced public confidence.
The police precept is a vital component of the overall council tax bill, which also encompasses contributions for Somerset Council (inclusive of the Somerset Rivers Authority), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and the local town or parish council.
Somerset Council is slated to finalize its annual budget in Bridgwater on February 26, with tax bills set to be dispatched to taxpayers by mid-March.