Warwickshire Police Authority

20 February 2008

Warwickshire Police Authority has today agreed to increase the police element of next year’s council tax by an average of £1.56 a month to further improve the protection of people who live work and travel in the county.

The move comes after a year of excellent force performance during which £2 million has been invested in Protective Services, such as tackling serious and organised crime, in Warwickshire from the 2007/08 budget.

Overall, crime reduced across the force area by 9.3 per cent in 2007 compared to the year before and the budget agreed by the authority today (Wednesday, February 20) will be used to further protect communities from harm in Warwickshire.

As agreed by members, the police share of next year’s council tax will rise by 12.87 per cent. This equates to a total increase of £18.78 over the year for the average Band D household in Warwickshire, an extra £1.56 a month or 5p per day.

Speaking after the meeting, Chair of the Police Authority, Philip Blundell, said: “I am pleased the authority members have today approved the recommendation to increase the police share of the council tax.

“In setting the budget the Police Authority carefully considered all the options available and the progress the force has made during the last year.

“Since plans for amalgamation were halted in July 2006 we have sought new ways forward. Two key elements of the 2007/08 budget were supporting the force’s 150 forward change programme and putting more than £2m into services to deliver better protection for local communities. The consequence of this is that the current budget relies upon our reserves and this is not sustainable in this or future years. We have faced up to the very real issues of protecting people living and working in a small, independent police force area.

“The additional investment during the past year has significantly improved performance, something that has been publicly welcomed by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and, of which we can all be proud.

“This is all despite Warwickshire Police Authority receiving a below average grant, in comparison to its most similar authorities, from the Government.

“To continue to progress and invest in the improvements Warwickshire Police force has made, the authority members agreed to this small increase in the police share of the council tax.

“As a result, this budget means the Chief Constable will be able to deliver greater protection to individuals and communities in Warwickshire. “

The rise in the police share of the council tax will provide more resources to further reduce serious violent crime, road casualties, burglary and vehicle crime as well as criminal damage. It will also be used to identify and charge those involved in the most harm-causing organised crime networks impacting on Warwickshire, including those who deal in drugs. This will all take place while the force continues to maintain a dedicated local policing service through Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

Chief Constable Keith Bristow added: “Warwickshire Police increased the amount of protection it delivered to communities across the county during 2007. “Compared to the year before, between April last year and January 2008 there were 70 fewer victims of serious violence, 435 fewer homes were broken into, there were 1,639 fewer victims of vehicle crime and 878 fewer people were victims of criminal damage.

“At the same time the force has successfully dealt with a number of major and ongoing investigations and serious incidents. These include the murder of Gerry Tobin who was shot on the M40, six other murders and the Atherstone on Stour fire where four fire fighters lost their lives. At the same time public satisfaction and confidence continues to improve.

“But we are not complacent. I am confident that by continuing to prioritise and tackle the most serious harms facing those who live, work or travel in the county, we can deliver even more protection during 2008.

“Warwickshire Police is now in a stronger position to work with communities and partners to protect people from harm. In 2008/09 we will focus on communities in the county most in need of protection while continuing to make the whole county a safer place to be.”

View the Press Conference online (18Mb Windows Media File)