In Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly most households* contribute less than £3.20 a week**, through their council tax, towards the cost of policing Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

So, for about the cost of a pasty, local people are helping the police to keep communities safe, beat antisocial behaviour, catch criminals and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

If we were to raise the council tax precept by an additional 41p a week*** the chief constable would be able to invest in a further 85 new police officers.

This would mean:

• A new officer for each of the 27 sectors in Devon and Cornwall to improve links between the public and police
• More detectives to bring more criminals to justice
• More response officers so we can get to more incidents, more often and in better time 
• We could maintain our investment in roads policing

The investment would bring officer numbers up to 3,100 by the end of 2020 – the highest number since the first police and crime commissioner was elected in 2012.

Without this increase it will mean halting recruitment of, and perhaps even cuts to, front line officers – who are increasingly dealing with the mentally unwell, significant summer demand pressures, serious crimes and a constant terrorist threat.

Cuts aren’t something I want to see and I am certain it is not what our community wants either so I am asking you to support this increase by answering yes to the question that can be found online here or via my website www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk. Alternatively contact my office at 01392 225555 and we’ll send you a paper survey.

We are asking you to submit your responses by Wednesday, February 6.

Yours sincerely

Alison Hernandez

*59.5% of households in Devon and Cornwall are rated at Band C or below.
**In 2018/19 a Band C household paid £3.21 per month towards policing through their council tax.
***41p a week would be for a Band C property. Band B would pay 36p a week. Band A would pay 31p a week. Band D would pay 46p a week.