CHESHIRE’S police and crime commissioner is asking Cheshire residents if they are willing to support an increase to the police precept to put more feet on the beat.

David Keane has this week launched a consultation with the option to increase the policing precept in local council tax payments by £2 per month for the average band D household.

It follows a “disappointing” annual cash settlement from central government where the commissioner said the government has once again shifted the burden of police funding onto the local Cheshire taxpayer.

In December, the government announced that Cheshire Constabulary would receive funding to cover unavoidable pressures on policing, but it assumes that Cheshire taxpayers will fund almost two thirds of this through an increase of the policing precept.

Mr Keane said: “The government has recognised that we need more money for policing but it is putting the burden on local taxpayers.

"Cheshire Constabulary has made more than £60 million worth of savings since 2010 but with non-pay budgets now overstretched, we have a stark choice to either fund this locally or significantly cut policing numbers.

“I believe that by funding policing through rising council tax, the government is essentially pitting the police against the local population. But without an increase to the precept, the funding offered for 2019/20 is insufficient to cover the existing budget, let alone inflation and increasing demand on our resources.

“With increasing pressures on household budgets, I understand that this proposed government increase to council tax payments is a bitter pill to swallow. However, I been left with no choice but to consult on the difficult option.”

Residents and businesses across Cheshire are being asked to complete a survey to give their views on 2019/20’s precept ahead of the commissioner setting the constabulary’s budget in February.

The commissioner will also be holding a number of consultation events across Cheshire for residents to talk with him directly about their priorities for police funding.

One of the consultation events will take place in Ellesmere Port at Market Square on Monday, January 14 from 11am-2pm.

Cheshire residents can also give their views by completing a survey on the Cheshire PCC website at www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk.

The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday, January 27.