THE Police and Crime Commissioner for the district is asking people how much extra money they would be willing to pay for policing the county.

Mark Burns-Williamson said money raised through an increase council tax precept would be used to recruit more police officers and pay for the resources they need to do their jobs safely.

The percentage increases proposed are 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%. The highest rise would cost band D households an extra £15 a year, and raise more than £9.6 million for West Yorkshire Police.

The move follows a 3.43% increase in the police precept last year, which resulted in a £5 increase for Band D properties, from £145 to £150 a year.

A similar survey was carried out on the proposal last year, with 77.2% of respondents in West Yorkshire supporting the move. The figure in Bradford was 76.7% in favour of the rise.

In an online consultation, Mr Burns-Williamson said: “These are incredibly challenging times for our police service as the government has cut our police budget by a third at the cost of over 2,000 police officers and staff.

“As West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, I can increase the policing element of the council tax to recruit more police here but I want to know what you think to inform the decisions I need to take.

“Most of the funding for our police comes from central government but this is reducing year on year.

“As PCC I am able to increase the policing element of local council tax to raise funds for policing in West Yorkshire.

“This would enable our police service to recruit more police, and have the resources they need to keep West Yorkshire safe and feeling safe.

“But, before I do so, I would like your views on the policing budget, and ask whether you are prepared to pay more.

“As an example; if I were to raise the precept by 5%, it would cost households in band D an extra £7.55 per year (around 14p per week).

“Many houses in West Yorkshire are in Bands A and B, so most people would pay even less than this.

“This relatively small increase to each household would raise an estimated £4.8 million for policing in West Yorkshire.”

The proposed hike in police precept payments follows plans to increase council tax in Bradford by 5.99%.

Currently, standard Band D council tax in Bradford is £1,469.71, and the planned increase would see it go up by £88 to £1,557.75.

To take part in Mr Burns-Williamson's survey, visit smartsurvey.co.uk/s/funding-our-police.

A decision will be made at a meeting of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel next month.