THE number of police officers on the beat is set to increase but the police precept will also rise, the police and crime commissioner for Cheshire has revealed as part of the constabulary's budget announcement.

An extra 70 police officers are to be recruited, bringing the total number of Cheshire police officers to 2,053 by March 2017.

John Dwyer said the increase in offers will 'help make Cheshire a safer, more prosperous county and one that remains hostile to criminals'.

But Mr Dwyer has also agreed a 3.2 per cent increase of 10p per week increase in the police precept.

He said: “When the Chancellor announced that police funding was protected, it was based on an assumption that commissioners across the country would increase council tax.

"In the case of those commissioners with the lowest historic levels of precept, as we have in Cheshire, the Chancellor has provided the flexibility to increase this by an average of 10p per week – which will broadly protect Cheshire’s police budget.

“My decision to raise council tax means that I can increase, for the second year running, the number of frontline police officers in our communities.

"On top of the 53 I funded last year, this year’s budget will allow me to add a further 70 officers."

“I have thought long and hard about this decision.

"Throughout the year I have talked with Cheshire residents and businesses. Consistently, they tell me that a modest increase in tax is a price they are prepared to pay when it guarantees more frontline officers – and following discussions and advice from the Chief Constable, this is a commitment I can make.

Chief constable Simon Byrne added: "Our intention in the coming year is to continue to focus on those issues that matter to the public.

“This includes putting more officers into local policing, while investing in the constabulary so that officers have the right kit and the best IT to further improve our ability to combat crime and protect our communities in the face of new threats.”

Other key priorities outlined in the budget include more police community bases, further investment in the force's public protection team to tackle sexual crimes and domestic abuse as well as investing in technology.