The Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary supports increasing the part of our council tax that pays for policing - saying it will fund new police officers and targeted operations.

Outlining the operational policing case, Olivia Pinkney is backing the planned increase, which will apply after April 6.

Chief constable Olivia Pinkney said: “I am fully conscious that many people and businesses face economic difficulties.

"The simple truth is despite Hampshire’s officers being rated as some of the most productive in the whole country, I am not currently in a position to be able to investigate as many crimes as I would want to.

"This will help to move us to a position where we have the opportunity to take the fight more and more to those criminals who blight our community."

Read how CC Pinkney thinks the changes would affect the Island here. 

Based on a Band D property, she backs a rise of at least £15 per year.

The move appears to be supported by a public consultation.

Via a survey, more than 8,000 people, across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, submitted their thoughts on the plans to raise the police precept.

It sits on top of payments to the Isle of Wight Council and the town and parish councils.

On the Island, just under 64 per cent of those who responded supported the rise, while just over 31 per cent did not.

Around 5 per cent of Islanders who answered the question were not sure.

The force's plan for the extra cash, across the two counties, includes:

  • 146 police officers - new officers in 2021/22 - plus training and equipment
  • Fast-tracked 50 additional officers (who would otherwise arrived the following year
  • Increased targeting of County Lines drugs operations 
  • Potential to investigate 26,000 more crimes 
  • New crime prevention work 
  • Reduced staff sickness - better wellbeing
  • Better able to tackle a backlog of 200 Crown Court trials and 2,500 Magistrate Court cases 

A meeting will take place on January 29, and will include the recommendation of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Council Tax: Isle of Wight police budget due to be set

Meanwhile, the Isle of Wight Council has said an increase of up to five per cent could be added to the main part of the council tax bill, as it seeks to make savings.