Police and Crime Commissioner urges public to have their say on policing priorities and police funding in County Durham and Darlington.

The annual public precept survey has been launched to ask local residents how much they are prepared to pay towards local policing in County Durham and Darlington, through their council tax in the upcoming year.

Police and Crime Commissioners have a responsibility for setting the force budget and determines the amount of council tax that goes towards policing for their area, called the policing precept.

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen, has called for residents to give their views on the amount they would be willing to pay for local policing services, as part of their Council Tax. This will help her inform her decisions around the budget and the amount of council tax people pay for the upcoming year.

Commissioner Allen said “An increase of the precept for the year 2024/25 would mean that Durham Constabulary should be able to maintain Police Officer and PCSO numbers, although the budget will remain under pressure because of reductions in government funding for capital costs including IT and fleet and costs are rising due a number of economic issues related to inflation, especially in relation to energy and technology costs.

I am aware of how important it is that the public receive the policing service that they deserve. In order to prevent cuts across the force we would require an increase in funding to even maintain the service that we currently have.

“We need to hear from residents to understand what they feel is reasonable to pay to ensure that our communities are kept safe from crime and anti-social behaviour, thanks to our police force.”

The amount that a police force receives through the precept differs depending on the numbers and type of houses in each council tax band across that area. Due to the majority of homes across County Durham and Darlington falling within council tax bands A and B, the area receives a much smaller funding opportunity compared to other police forces across the country, which have greater numbers of higher tax banded properties.

You can give your views via the survey at https://online1.snapsurveys.com/ynujmf or email your questions to General.EnquiriesPCC@durham-pcc.gov.uk

If you are unable to complete the survey online, you can request a paper copy at General.EnquiriesPCC@durham-pcc.gov.uk

The survey will close at 5pm on the 8th January 2024.