Council tax bills rise in County Durham and Darlington for policing

County Durham: Councillors approved a plan to raise the police precept. This means households will pay more for local policing.

Joy Allen, the Police and Crime Commissioner, suggested the increase. It affects the part of council tax that funds the police budget.

For Band A properties, the rise is £9.33 a year. Band H households will see an increase of £28. Allen, a Labour politician, assured that officer numbers will stay the same.

Currently, there are 1,379 officers, and this will last until at least April 2026. The extra funds will help Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) stay active in neighborhoods.

Chief Constable Rachel Bacon noted improvements in police performance. However, she mentioned that financial challenges remain tough for the force.

Bacon warned that staff cuts could happen if funding doesn’t improve. She emphasized her commitment to keeping police numbers stable for community safety.

Allen has called for better funding formulas to support areas with high demand. Currently, a 1% increase in precept raises £490,000 for County Durham.

Councillor David Boyes highlighted the funding issues. He expressed concern over the situation and stated that more funds are necessary.

Councillor Lucy Hovvels mentioned that the current financial situation isn’t sustainable. She acknowledged the tough choice to raise the precept.

Despite maintaining officer numbers, Durham Constabulary has fewer officers than in 2010. Councillor Ken Robson understood the financial limits but echoed residents’ wishes for more police presence.