WILTSHIRE Police is set to increase the policing part of council tax by one-pound-a-month from next year to avoid making cuts to frontline officers.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson welcomed a Home Office announcement lifting the two percent increase cap currently imposed on PCCs across the country.

This change means that, in consultation with local residents, PCCs can now raise the amount by £12.

In Wiltshire, the PCC was previously limited to a rise of £3.24 per band D household per year.

Wiltshire Police was facing cuts of £3m, which would have reduced policing to a minimal service, but if the public supports the one-pound-a-month increase then those cuts would be avoided and current service levels maintained.

Swindon’s officers have had their fair share of criticism in recent months regarding less bobbies on the beat, particularly from residents in Eldene and Liden due to increased reports of burglaries, thefts from vehicles, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

At a public meeting called in Eldene one resident said he feared crime was turning his neighbourhood into a “ghetto”.

As a result, increased patrols were carried out and a neighbourhood watch scheme was set up.

Similar concerns were also raised in North Swindon about less visible officers on the county’s streets.

Mr Macpherson said: “This is good news for our county. I have been saying that we need more resources to ensure the safety of our county and residents agreed.

“They want more policing and were prepared to pay more. They definitely didn’t want to see further reductions.

“I went to see the Policing Minister personally and have lobbied hard for this flexibility. I am delighted that he has taken what the public has said on board and allowed Police and Crime Commissioners to decide what resources they require for policing.”

The proposed increase for 2018/19 is yet to be published but a consultation with local residents will be launched on 2 January 2018 to set the police part of the council tax in Wiltshire and Swindon.

If an annual rise of £12 was agreed then this will see the current contribution of £14.19 per month, per band D household raise to £15.19 per month.

Back in January, Mr Macpherson decided to increase the policing part of the council tax precept for Swindon and Wiltshire residents by 1.9 per cent working out as £3.17 per year – or 6p a week – for the average band D property.

Mr Macpherson added: “I think most people would be prepared to pay an extra £1 a month. This could bridge the gap in funding and give us the chance to ensure that Wiltshire Police continues to perform well.”