The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel (PCP) has today approved the proposed precept increase asked for by the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Donna Jones, which will result in an increase of Council Tax in 2025/26 of £14 per year – 27p weekly – for a Band D property.

The increase is in line with Government expectations that PCCs increase their council tax precept by the maximum allowed this year in order to deliver the levels of policing expected by the public.

Under proposals set out by the Police and Crime Commissioner at the PCP meeting, the precept increase will help to keep communities safer, including by recruiting a further 90 Police officers, bringing the total number of the number of additional police officers recruited since 2020 to 815; new front counters and expansion of the ‘local bobby’ scheme; continuing improvements to the 101 non-emergency service; support for initiatives that tackle business crime, crime in rural areas, and reduce violence and anti-social behaviour; and improve road safety.

Chair of Hampshire's Police and Crime Panel, Councillor Karen Lucioni, said: "Following the Panel’s close scrutiny of the recommendations put forward by the Police and Crime Commissioner we have given our support to the Commissioner’s planned budget for 2025/26. Considering the financial impact on Hampshire’s households of increasing the precept, we have considered very carefully this proposed increase.

“However, following the Panel’s discussion, and the clear public support for an increase received in the Commissioner’s consultation with residents, the Panel is satisfied that the precept increase put forward for 2025/26 is necessary and represents good value for taxpayers. The additional investment in local policing across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, will help deliver the Commissioner’s commitment keeping our communities among the safest places to live, work, and visit in the country.”