WEST Mercia Police are looking at adding an extra 115 police officers to their force, which would see a rise in council tax.

They say this is to help meet the demands in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, and is proposed by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), John Campion.

It would see residents council tax bills increase by around £1.63 per month for a typical band D household.

It is part of the commissioner’s draft budget for 2019/20 and would take officer numbers in West Mercia to around 2,150, with an additional £250,000 dedicated to tackling rural crime.

Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion, said: “I have listened to feedback from our communities in West Mercia who have been very consistent: People want more police officers, and they want to see them out on the streets, tackling crime and keeping us safe.

“I believe my budget proposals deliver on that. It ensures the additional capacity for our hard-working police to deliver an even better service to communities, as well as an increase in dedicated resources for rural crime.

“I promised I would ensure the public’s money is spent as efficiently as possible before asking for any more, and have delivered on that promise with the lowest council tax increases in England and Wales in the last two years.

"With a clear commitment to invest this extra resource directly into additional frontline officers, I hope the communities of West Mercia will support my proposals”.

As well as additional officers, the extra resource would also ensure continued reform of the police force so they can deal with the changing demands.

The consultation closes on 20th January 2019 and the PCC is after your opinions.

To have your say, visit sgiz.eu/s3/2019-20-Precept-Consultation.

For the full draft budget, visit westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Draft-Budget-201920.pdf?x19529