A PENNY a day for "coppers" is proposed as the taxpayer cost of policing the county goes up to arrest the impact of cuts.

An increase on the police precept added to council tax calculations could amount to little more than 1p on the average bill.

But West Mercia Police is counting pennies with its spending settlement slashed by almost £6m next year to £110.366 million.

That equates to a 5.1% cash reduction in real-terms, with inflation factored in.

Latest projections suggest the service will have to find a further £33 million in savings in the next five years due to cuts in government grants.

Against this background, Police & Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore is consulting on the scope of an increase to the police precept added on to council tax bills for 2015/16.

Mr Longmore said today (Thurs) that the increase wasn't a proposal he took lightly.

"But I feel that to freeze bills this year would only store up more problems down the line for everyone.

“Either millions more would need to be saved from policing budgets in the coming years, or council tax would have to go up, very significantly, to maintain a good level of service," he said.

On the PCC's calculations freezing the rates this year would leave a further financial hole of around £7m in four years time.

With medium-to-long term planning in mind an increase of  1.99 per cent is proposed equating to an extra 1p a day on the average - or band D - bill.

The calculations come with a strong hint from the PCC's office that initiatives to engage with - and prevent - re-offending will be a priority, working alongside partner agencies like probation and social services.

The precept increased last year by 1.99% having been kept on hold for three years years prior to that.

In 2014/15, central government funding accounts for approx 64% of total local resources with the police precept standing at £182.28 for a band D home.

The proposed 1.99% rise would take that to £185.93, a total increase of £3.65 across 2015/16.

A government cap on precept increases means any increase over two per cent means a referendum to the relevant authority.

The PCC consultation ends on January 23.

Submissions can be sent to opcc@westmercia.pnn.police.uk or West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Freepost SY952 Shrewsbury
SY2 6WB.