Police ‘council tax’ increase approved

Following a survey of Cheshire households, The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, has approved a budget for 2022/23.

Given the population of Cheshire is thought to be around one million – and assuming there are two persons per household – indicates a total of around 500,000 residential properties – the occupants of which pay council tax.

A survey, requesting an increase in funds, was carried out by the PCC’s office in January – to which just 3,738 responded – of which 70% (circa 2,616) agreed to pay more, via their council tax.

Given these figures are correct it would appear circa 497,384 households failed to respond – which I can only conclude has been taken as approval for an increase in the police precept (the part of council tax that goes towards Cheshire Constabulary) – rather than disapproval.

The policing precept will rise by approximately 83p per month (for the average Band D property) which doesn’t sound a lot – until you do the maths and realise it results in an increase of £10 a year per Band D property – potentially resulting in an extra £5 million (give or take a few thousand) per year for the police.

Add to that the inevitable, similar request and increase, from Cheshire’s fire department – and the usual council tax increase – it’s going to be a tough year for many of those on fixed and low incomes.

Now if Cheshire Police was to revert back to the old-fashioned way of operating i.e. actually detecting crime and arresting the criminals – instead of following the ludicrous politically correct agenda they appear to be following – I’m confident we’d all be a happier bunch.

Sadly, if my own experiences are reflected across the county, we appear to have reached the stage where even if you have tangible and indisputable proof that a crime has taken place, Cheshire Police will speak to and take the word of the criminals first – and then, as they’re convinced the perp is telling the truth, decline to take a statement from the complaining victim, nor prosecute the case.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, says: “The scale of the response I’ve received from the public has been fantastic and it shows just how much people care about how their police service works for them.”

The Commissioner will present his budget and proposed precept increase to the county’s Police and Crime Panel on Friday 4 February, the Panel will then decide whether to approve the budget and precept increase or ask the Commissioner to provide an alternate option.

I can only hope that at least several of the 120 officers, we’ve been told will be funded by the increase, will be capable of telling the truth – and be a more honest – than some of the incumbents.