Crewe residents are being asked whether they would be prepared to pay more tax towards the cost of policing - a proposed increase of over six per cent.

Cheshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, John Dwyer, says inflation has added more than £14m to Cheshire Police's costs - with £6.7m worth of savings already in the pipeline.

Mr Dwyer says action is needed to help plug the remaining gap, with a 6.4 per cent increase in the police's precept – the portion of council tax which goes towards policing – being eyed.

Inflation has added more than £14m to Cheshire Police's costs - with £6.7m worth of savings already in the pipeline (Cheshire Police).

PCC Dwyer's office said such an increase would equate to £15-a-year for a band D property, or £1.25 a month. Properties in bands A-C, which constitute the bulk of properties in the county, would pay less.

Mr Dwyer said: "Increasing the precept by 6.4 per cent – below inflation – would allow the constabulary to meet this funding gap and maintain the improved level of service we have seen.

"The Chief Constable and I have focused relentlessly on the areas that matter most to people and things are moving in the right direction.

"However, setting the police precept is a responsibility I do not take lightly.

"I know that the cost of living is affecting people and public services in different ways and that's why I've provided a number of options in the survey.

"It's vital that I get the views of people right across Cheshire so please do have your say."

PCC John Dwyer's office said such a tax increase would equate to £15-a-year for a band D property, or £1.25 a month (Cheshire Police).

More than 40 per cent of Cheshire Police's funding came from council tax in 2022/23.

The Commissioner said the money allowed the constabulary to make several improvements to things such as response times and arrest rates.

As well as gauging views on the proposed precept rise, the survey will also ask residents to have their say on what they think the police's priorities should be over the next year.

He added: "It's through the public's support via the police precept that we've been able to make Cheshire even safer over the past year and improve in a number of key areas.

"I want the constabulary to be able to maintain these improvements and that's why I'm launching this survey.

The survey for a 6.4% increase in policing tax closes on Tuesday 24 January (Cheshire Police).

"I need people's feedback on what they want our police service to focus on in 2023/24 and what level the police precept should be set at to be able to achieve this."

The survey closes on Tuesday 24 January. It can be filled in HERE.

READ MORE: Police rush to investigate 'loud bang' heard in Crewe.

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