RESIDENTS in Wiltshire are being asked to give feedback on policing and whether they would be prepared to pay an extra £2 a month to see more officers in the county.

A public consultation about a proposed increase in the policing part of council tax has reached the halfway point and Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson, wants to hear the public’s views.

The policing precept which is collected with your council tax, goes directly to the Police and Crime Commissioner where 98 percent is allocated to the Chief Constable and the remaining two percent to the PCCs office for commissioned services which includes supporting victims of crime and restorative justice.

Currently, the average Wiltshire household contributes £15.19 per month to local policing, but if residents and businesses back the proposal this would rise to £17.19 per month.

Angus has pledged to use this money to recruit 41 more officers and two cyber-crime staff. He has also said that there will be a renewed focus on crime prevention across the county.

He said: Angus said, “Community policing remains an absolute priority for me, and last year with the support of residents we were able to maintain frontline policing numbers and continue investing in mobile technology allowing officers and staff to work in the community.

“This year, if you agree to this precept rise, I will recruit 41 more officers and two dedicated cyber-crime staff.

“Cyber-crime continues to be a growing risk in modern society and those who take advantage of the most vulnerable, using technology, are a very real threat.

“If the public supports my proposal, I will allocate funding to two dedicated cyber teams, one focusing on the despicable crime of child sexual exploitation and the other on fraud.

“There will also be a renewed focus on crime prevention using a range of tactics to target those who may commit crime in future.

“It’s always a difficult decision to increase the precept, but it is necessary if we want more police officers.”

The consultation will run until January 31 2019.

For more information on how to share your views please visit wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk, you can also email pcc@wiltshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk or use #AskAngusPCC on social media.