POLICE and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe has welcomed the support of members of the Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel for his proposal to increase the police precept by £12 per year to secure additional funding for local policing.

The decision to increase the precept, the portion of local council tax which goes towards the police budget followed a four week public consultation which showed that 70 percent of respondents were in favour of increasing the precept by the maximum amount allowable.

The panel, which comprises local councillors and independent members, scrutinises the work of the commissioner and can exercise a veto over initial budget proposals.

However, having heard details of Mr Seccombe’s budget and the Medium Term Financial Plan, the members voted to support the proposals and will now write to formally notify the Commissioner of their recommendations.

It means that, from April 1, the Commissioner will be able to raise the precept by 6.25 percent - equivalent to £12 per year on a Band D property.