Tax rise to pay for Hertfordshire's biggest ever police force

After "overwhelming public support", Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd has announced an increase in the policing precept of residents’ tax bills.

The tax rise will raise £5.2 million, helping to put a record number of police officers on Hertfordshire’s streets, as well as providing more funding to help victims of crime.

The average taxpayer (Band D) in Hertfordshire will pay an additional £1.25 a month compared to last year, helping recruit 77 new officers, on top of 90 recruited with funding from the government.

Mr Lloyd says this will boost the county’s policing ranks to 2,267 officers over the forthcoming financial year, which is more than a previous high of 2,202 in 2007.

The commissioner plans to have 2,314 officers in post by April 2023.

David Lloyd outside St Albans Crown Court

Mr Lloyd said: "This is a momentous decision for policing in Hertfordshire. The public have clearly told me they want more officers on the streets, and they are willing to pay extra (61 per cent of nearly 4,500 who responded) to see this happen.

"Increasing the council tax is not a decision I take lightly but my role is to make hard choices based on the evidence. Thousands of people responded to my recent policing survey, with the majority asking for more money to be spent on more officers.

"Not only are these officers coming in, but thanks to years of investment and good planning we will have the largest force ever."

The money will help fund Hertfordshire's biggest police force ever, and highest since 2007

The increase means the annual precept for an average (Band D) property will go from £198 to £213.

The policing precept council tax increase was formally considered and agreed by Hertfordshire’s police and crime panel on February 4.

The policing precept rise is in addition to a rise residents will pay in borough and county council tax.

Watford Borough Council has agreed to increase council tax bills by 1.7 per cent for this coming financial year; a Band D taxpayer will pay nearly £5 more a year, while in Hertsmere and Three Rivers, the share of the borough council tax bill is set to rise by £5 a year.

Hertfordshire County Council’s share of the council tax bill is also expected to rise.