Police tax hike is one of the lowest (From Warrington Guardian)

Police tax hike is one of the lowest

POLICE bosses in Merseyside have clinched what is believed to be one of the lowest tax rises in the country but critics say that Newton is still being neglected.

Merseyside Police Authority (MPA) announced this week that it would increase its precept by 8.5 per cent, compared to 10.9 per cent being asked for in Warrington.

This will mean that residents in Band A properties will pay an extra 11 pence a year while people living in Band D homes will pay an extra 16 pence on their bills.

Labour councillor Keith Deakin, who represents Newton West and St Helens on the MPA, also welcomed the decision to put 250 extra police officers on the streets during the next year.

Clr Deakin said: "We have listened to what the people of Merseyside said and they have told us that more police officers, coupled with better response times when dealing with calls for assistance is their top priority. This budget has delivered those goals at a minimal extra cost and we have secured a commitment from the Chief Constable that the new officers will be equitably distributed."

He added: "This budget means more police, safer communities and a better town for those that live and work here."

One hundred and fifty new officers will be recruited while a further 100 of those currently working behind desks are being put back into neighbourhoods.

But Liberal Democrat councillor for Newton East, Clr Suzanne Knight, thinks that in reality police officers are being pulled out of the town to serve St Helens.

She said: "The people of Newton want to see their police officers in their town walking their streets.

"That has not been happening. The whole point of the neighbourhood team was that these police officers could be a friendly neighbourhood bobby."

Clr Knight added that Newton has a great team of community police officers but said they need to be left to do their job.