RESIDENTS are being asked if they would pay an extra £2 a month for more police officers in Wiltshire.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson is calling on residents to share their views on the proposed average increase of £24 a year to the policing precept.

The policing precept is a share of the money from council tax that goes directly to the police and crime commissioner - 98 per cent is allocated to the chief constable and two per cent to the PCCs office for commissioned services which include supporting victims of crime and restorative justice.

Currently, the average Wiltshire household contributes £15.19 per month to local policing, but if residents and local businesses back the proposal then this would rise to £17.19 per month.

Mr Macpherson said: “Last year, with resident’s support, I promised to maintain frontline policing numbers after several years of seeing a decrease. I also pledged to continue investing in mobile technology allowing officers and staff to work in the community.

“This year, if you agree to this precept rise, I will recruit 41 more officers and two dedicated cyber-crime staff.

“Cyber-crime continues to be a growing risk in modern society and those who take advantage of the most vulnerable, using technology, are a very real threat.

“If the public supports my proposal, I will allocate funding to two dedicated cyber teams, one focusing on the despicable crime of child sexual exploitation and the other on fraud.

“There will also be a renewed focus on crime prevention using a range of tactics to target those who are likely to commit crime in future.”

He added: “I’ve listened to the public when they’ve said they don’t see the police enough, and community policing is an absolute priority for me.

“Some of these additional officers will be placed in response teams to ensure an enhanced focus on building stronger links with the communities Wiltshire Police serves and protects, and others within the cyber teams.

“It’s always a difficult decision to increase the precept, but it is necessary if we want more police officers.

“The long distance between our communities puts added pressure on our resources, and I continue to lobby the government to give Wiltshire a fairer amount of the national funding pot.”

The consultation which launches today will run until January 31.

To take part in the consultation go to wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk, email pcc@wiltshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk or use #AskAngusPCC on social media.