The cost of policing in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire is set to rise by an average of £15 after plans were backed by councillors.
West Mercia Police’s annual precept will be £240.20 a year for the average band D household – a rise of 6.66 per cent.
The budget and precept increase, put forward by police and crime commissioner John Campion, was backed by West Mercia Police and Crime Panel at a meeting on Thursday.
Almost nine million pounds will go towards recruiting an extra 91 police officers.
Mr Campion said he had presented a “more for more” budget which meant the police precept for residents in Worcestershire would be higher but services would be better as a result.
The region’s police and crime commissioner added that the budget provided “increased visibility, accessibility and reliability from their police force” which communities had said they wanted.
“I have, as with previous years, created a budget with our communities in mind,” Mr Campion said in a statement after the police and crime panel meeting.
“I asked the public to take part in a consultation prior to pulling this budget together with the sole purpose of understanding exactly how they felt and where they would spend the money if they had the choice.
“The public’s voices were loud and clear in that they want a police force they can rely on, access and see within their community.
“We have faced a challenging year, and the budget has to reflect that, however it also has to deliver a police service that works for our communities.
“Therefore, this additional funding will go into areas of most concern for communities and ensure the force has the resources it needs to deliver a police force the public expects and deserves.”
The budget is the last to be presented before local elections to choose West Mercia’s police and crime commissioner for the next four years will be held in May.
Worcester City Council has proposed a £5 increase in its share of council tax adding to planned rises by Worcestershire County Council.
The average band D household in Worcester would be asked to pay £196 in the next financial year – which includes the extra £5 – on top of a proposed 2.5 per cent increase totalling an extra £33.
The cost of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s latest precept has yet to be announced but was just under £86 last year.
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