‘Back to the drawing board’ for Sussex Police after Government caps proposed council tax increase

The deputy chief constable of Sussex Police has said the force will have to ‘go back to the drawing board’ after the policing part of council tax can no longer be increased as much as was hoped.
Katy BourneKaty Bourne
Katy Bourne

Sussex police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne wanted to increase the precept by £4.95 per year per band D household.

She claimed the idea was met with an overwhelming yes from taxpayers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But, during an accountability meeting this afternoon (Friday February 21), Mrs Bourne revealed the proposed increase has been dramatically slashed by nearly half due to a cap by central Government.

Deputy chief constable Giles York said money from the increase would have been spent on mobile capability for officers.

The aim is to eliminate officers’ time spent having to get back to the desk to input data.

He said: “Everything I have asked for in the budget is deemed essential.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s about timing and facing the issues as they come through.

“We’ve gone back to the drawing board.

“It’s such a fundamental game-changer to input data out and about.”

Mr York explained he would be asking for funding to be brought forward.

Mobile devises will be rolled out slower than the deputy chief constable would have liked.