Northumbria Police Authority today approved plans to increase the Council Tax precept by 3.95 percent at its annual budget setting meeting.

Plans also include investment of £8 million in police services such as:

• Citizen focused and neighbourhood policing that responds to the needs of communities and individuals, in particular victims and witnesses and inspires public confidence
• Protective services including counter terrorism

The change will mean that Band A council tax payers, which equates to 60 percent of households, will be charged an £49.74 per year – an increase of £1.89 per year, less than four pence each week.  The costs for Band D properties will rise to £74.62 – an increase of £2.84 per year – the lowest in the UK.

The increase will ensure that the high quality policing delivered by Northumbria Police Force will be maintained and further improved over the next 12 months to protect local communities.

Chair of Northumbria Police Authority, Cllr Mick Henry said,

“Our priority when we look at how to allocate our budget is always to ensure we direct money to deliver a service that residents want and need.  This small increase will enable us to do that.”

Northumbria Police is the only police force in the country to record successive annual decreases in crime since 1991. The number of offences committed in Tyneside, Wearside and Northumberland has reduced by 37 per cent between 1991 and April 2006.

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