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Suffolk Police Precept Rise Approved as Hampshire & Isle of Wight £15 Plan Goes to Panel

Both moves respond to funding shortfalls highlighted in consultations showing local backing for higher precepts.

Overview

  • Suffolk’s £15 increase for a Band D property, a 5.2% rise, was approved by the Police and Crime Panel by 8–1 with one abstention.
  • The Suffolk precept change takes effect from April following the panel’s decision at the end of January.
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s PCC has proposed a 5.45% Band D rise, equal to £15, with the police and crime panel set to consider it on Monday, 2 February.
  • The Hampshire and Isle of Wight plan outlines £9.9 million in initiatives and 36 posts, including five local officers, 16 neighbourhood officers, and a 15-officer fugitive team supported by three analysts, plus investment in technology, forensics, estates and staff wellbeing.
  • Consultations reported majority support: 57.1% of 1,206 Suffolk respondents backed the rise, while over 92% of 4,154 Hampshire and Isle of Wight respondents answering the precept question supported a higher charge.