Northumbria Police Authority today approved a total budget of almost £299m for the coming year, agreeing one of the smallest increases for taxpayers in recent times.

Most households in Northumbria will pay, on average, only around 15 pence per day for one of the most efficient and effective police forces in the country.

Police authority members agreed a 3.9% increase to the council tax precept, used to help pay for policing across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. This is based on the nationally agreed Band D council tax measure.

In the Northumbria force area, where the majority of households are Band A, residents will see a rise of just £2.04 per year or 4p a week on their council tax bill.

Despite the prudent budget, Northumbria Police are committed to making more improvements and investments to drive up standards even further.

Chair of Northumbria Police Authority, Cllr Mick Henry said: “In these difficult economic times it’s important that we keep charges to council taxpayers to an absolute minimum. This represents a great deal for council taxpayers, while still ensuring that we are providing the Police with everything they need to do the job. This small increase will help make sure that Northumbria Police can provide residents with the type of policing they want and need.

“This has been another very successful year for Northumbria Police and in this region we can be proud of having one of the country’s best performing police forces.”

Members of Northumbria Police Authority agreed to the budget at their meeting today (11 February 2009) at Gateshead Civic Centre.

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