Council tax in Durham and Darlington will increase to support the police force. The rise comes as police funding faces pressure.
Joy Allen, the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, proposed the plan. It affects how much goes to the police. Band A properties pay £9.33 more each year, while Band H properties pay up to £28 more.
Allen says officer numbers will stay the same, remaining at 1,379 until April 2026. PCSOs will keep patrolling the streets. They will tackle drug use and antisocial behavior, and off-road biking is also included.
Rachel Bacon, the Chief Constable, says the force performs better now. But policing remains very challenging, and they are working with tight budgets. She worries about cuts to police numbers.
Bacon wants to maintain community safety and spoke with councillors at County Hall. Allen wants a revised funding formula. She wants more money for high-need and deprived areas.
Durham gets £490,000 per precept rise, while North Yorkshire gets £970,000 and Surrey gets £1.7 million. Councillor David Boyes finds this shocking. Durham Constabulary faces a funding disparity.
Boyes said they need more funds and thinks accepting the increase is vital. Lucy Hovvels agrees that the money is needed. She says the current financial plan is unsustainable, and they have no other choice.
Durham Constabulary has fewer officers than in 2010. Ken Robson understands the constraints. He wants more visible policing and more officers on the streets.
