Let us and the Government know
if you are ready to pay a
little extra to keep bobbies
on the beat. A few pennies
more in council tax could help
maintain successful and
popular community policing
while also guarding against
terrorism and organised
crime.In the past, the Welsh
Assembly Government has
blocked modest rises by

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Let us and the Government know
if you are ready to pay a
little extra to keep bobbies
on the beat. A few pennies
more in council tax could help
maintain successful and
popular community policing
while also guarding against
terrorism and organised
crime.In the past, the Welsh
Assembly Government has
blocked modest rises by
threatening to place a cap on
local taxes.Now, North Wales
Chief Constable, Richard
Brunstrom, wants the people of
North Wales to say what their
priorities are. 'We are
determined to complete our
very popular programme of
community officers,' he said.
'But, at the same time, the
government is rightly telling
us that we have to invest in
fighting terrorism and
organised crime. 'We are
working very hard to control
spending, but we would like to
know if the people of North
Wales are prepared to continue
providing extra funding for
local services.'An independent
survey, commissioned by North
Wales Police Authority, shows
the answer would be 'Yes!' A
specialist market research
company questioned 1,500 local
people and most said that
having more bobbies on the
beat was more important than
saving a few pennies of
council tax. â?¢ Would be
happy to pay an increase of
39p a week in their Council
Tax to fill the gap in police
funding. â?¢ Almost half --
46% - would be happy to pay
41p more. â?¢ And 61% said
they feel safer with more
bobbies on the beat.This year,
North Wales Police Authority,
were forced to slash £2
million from police work
because of the threatened cap
by the Government.Further cuts
of £3 million are expected
next year and the Force has
already announced the loss of
120 jobs next March.'North
Wales Police is being expected
to do more with a lot less
money,' said the Chair of the
Police Authority's
Consultation Committee, Morag
Webb.'Three years ago, with
the support of the public, the
police element of council tax
was raised to increase the
funding for neighbourhood
policing. Now, we're having to
think about doing the same
again.'If we don't have the
resources, the people of North
Wales will not get more
bobbies on the beat -- they
will get fewer.'Look at the
evidenceThere are detailed
figures to show exactly how
North Wales Police spends
public money, and where the
funding comes from.During
2005-06, spending was almost
£144.9 million and all
targeted at solving and
stopping crime, at helping the
public or increasing safety.

Category News & Politics

Tags North, Wales, Police, BSL, Y-glas, glas