GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl is calling on the Constabulary to focus more on cyber crime and internet bullies.

It follows a series of consultation exercises which found most people identified cyber crime as a priority and said they would be prepared to pay more council tax if it helped the police tackle it.

As a result, the Commissioner will ask the county’s police and crime panel to confirm a two per cent increase in council tax when it meets on Thursday, February 6.

A two per cent increase will mean an extra £4.05 per year or eight pence a week will be added to the average band D householder who already pays about £203.68 for the year.

“I spent a lot of time canvassing the views of the public and there is no doubt people are concerned about the increase in things like people being ripped-off by fraudsters on the internet and the devastating effect bullying on social network sites has on families”, said Mr.Surl.

“ As it stands, the Constabulary’s capability to fulfil its requirement is lacking. To enable the Constabulary to plan with more certainty, I have prepared a budget for the next three years and I hope this will be the last time I put up council tax before the next election”

Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said: “The internet presents huge opportunities for people both personally and professionally, but it also presents risks and we would be failing in our duty if we left members of the public and businesses in Gloucestershire exposed because of a lack of expertise in this field”.