Crime commissioner apologises to the public as council tax set to rise in Bedford to pay for 153 new constables

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Kathryn Holloway, last night (Tuesday) won the unanimous support for her proposal to provide 153 new PCs over the next financial year in a tax rise of under 30p per week.

The PCC apologised to the public for having to ask for any more funds at a time of economic uncertainty due to the pandemic but pointed to the need to deliver on her promise to increase officer numbers each year.

She said: “While I genuinely would have preferred not to issue any rise at all to the council tax precept that pays for 38 per cent of all our policing in Bedfordshire, there really was no choice, while every community tells me that having more visible policing is what is key to them.

“I was particularly delighted that, despite this now being a run-up to the next PCC election, no politics were brought into this critical decision for policing and my panel colleagues, across all political parties represented as well as the independent member present, voted unanimously to support me.

“The fact is that, while in previous years when surveying the public in advance of this critical annual vote, I have been able simply to list all the positive additional services and officers that I was creating within Bedfordshire Police, this year a failure to win the maximum possible grant of just under 30p per week or £1.25 per average 'Band D' home would have directly resulted in the loss of services which are vital for victim support and the safety of our communities."

PCC Holloway told police and crime panel members that such services under threat without the rise included:

15 police community support officers who are among the most visible officers, problem-solving issues from homelessness and street drinking to anti-social behaviour in communities.

Five force contact centre control room staff who answer calls for help from the public

- Investment in cyber crime defence and investigation systems

- 10 investigation officers who would have to have been replaced with police officers - taking 10 officers away from street duties to take on the investigative role from Kempston HQ

The PCC’s survey question, put to the public between December 15 and January 20 - resulted in majority support for the proposed council tax rise.

The £15 rise per 'Band D’ home - or £1.25 per month - was the highest the PCC could have asked for without triggering a referendum.