John Baron MP urges constituents to respond to Essex Policing Precept survey

MP says have your say

John Baron MP has today urged people to respond to the Essex Policing Precept Survey about the level of the policing precept for 2019-20. The consultation will run from until midnight on 27th November 2018.

John said:

“Everyone should have their say on the proposed changes to the policing precept to ensure it is at the right level and the local police are adequately funded.”

Notes to Editors

People can fill in the survey online via this link http://www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/policing-precept-survey-2018/
Hard copies are also available. People can contact my office on 01245 291600 or email pfcc@essex.pnn.police.uk to request a copy. People can also write to PFCC for Essex, Kelvedon Park, London Road, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3HB.
The survey will close at midnight on Tuesday, November 27.
Funding for Essex Police comes from two sources – central Government and local Council Tax. Taking these two funding sources into account, Essex Police receives the second lowest funding per resident of any police force in the country and has one of the lowest Council Tax precepts for policing. Next year we are also expecting significant additional costs from increases in police officer pay, higher insurance costs and changes to police officer pensions. There will also be costs as a result of extending the police’s Airwave radio system due to delays in the roll out of the National Emergency Services Communication Programme.
In light of the results from last year’s survey, the Police and Crime Commissioner raised the policing element of the Council Tax by up to £12, or £1 a month, for a Band D property. This increase, as part of the £450 million in police funding secured nationally from the Government last year, allowed Essex Police to recruit 150 more frontline officers, bringing the total amount of Essex Police officers to at least 3,000. These additional officers are being recruited and trained and will be arriving in local communities by February 2019.