WARWICKSHIRE'S Police and Crime Panel has chosen to back the Police and Crime Commissioner's proposal for no increase in the police precept for Cotswold residents.

At the panel's latest meeting, held February 3, members voted to approve the commissioner Philip Seccombe's proposed zero per cent increase in the police portion of council tax for financial year 2017 to 2018.

It means that for the average Band D taxpayer, the annual bill for the precept will remain unchanged at £191.98 – but through use of funds from Warwickshire Police’s financial reserves, the actual amount spent on policing in the county will increase by £1.1 million.

The decision follows a public consultation in January organised by the commissioner, which saw a majority of the 405 respondents - 51 per cent - favour a precept freeze.

Mr Seccombe said: “I am pleased that the panel has given their backing to my proposal, as this now allows me to confirm the policing budget for next year.

“I recognise that these are difficult financial times for many people and that other public bodies are being faced with the need to make considerable savings, which may mean other portions of the council tax will rise.

"I do not therefore think it fair to continue to ask the public to pay extra for policing when the force has relatively large financial reserves which should rightly be spent directly on providing policing services here in Warwickshire.

“By using some of these reserves on a one-off basis I am able to offset any losses caused by freezing the precept, while at the same time actually increasing the overall amount that is spent on policing.

“Through this increased investment I aim to ensure that frontline policing is both protected and enhanced, that the most vulnerable in society are protected and that the issues that matter most to communities continue to be addressed.”

The budget will be officially finalised once written confirmation of their decision has been received from the panel.