Hampshire council tax could rise by £15 to fund policing
The proposal would pay for increased officer numbers and other frontline services.
Households across Hampshire could face a £15 increase in the policing element of their council tax under new proposals from the area's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
The proposed rise, which applies to Band D properties in the 2026/27 financial year, represents just over a five per cent hike.
Last year, PCC Donna Jones secured approval for a £14 increase in the policing precept, which was used to fund officer recruitment and neighbourhood policing teams. The latest proposal seeks additional funding to address ongoing cost pressures and sustain frontline policing services.
If approved by the Police and Crime Panel next week, the increase would bring the overall policing precept for Band D households to approximately £290 million annually.
The extra funding would help pay for new initiatives, including the hiring of 36 more police officers. This would take the total number of additional officers funded through the council tax precept since 2020 to 851.
Under the proposals, officer recruitment would include roles such as five local bobbies, 16 neighbourhood policing officers, and members for a new Fugitive Team consisting of 15 officers and three analysts tasked with targeting high-risk offenders across the region.
Plans also include opening new front counters to improve public access, expanding the local bobby scheme, and ongoing enhancements to the 101 non-emergency service.
The report warns that maintaining current service levels will become increasingly difficult without increased funding.
The Police and Crime Panel is set to review and decide on the proposal during its meeting on 2nd February.