Members of the public are being asked how they feel about paying £2 a month more for council tax to help fund police.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Martyn Underhill has launched a consultation to ask members of the public for their views on paying an increase in their precept – the part of a council tax bill that funds local police.

Mr Underhill, members of his team and volunteers will be visiting supermarkets across the county through January to find out what local taxpayers think.

“It’s really important that we hear the public’s views on how they feel about paying this increase," Mr Underhill said. “That’s why I’m asking everyone to take a couple of minutes to complete the survey online, and why myself and members of my team will be out and about across the county to talk to people face to face.”

The proposed increase has been suggested after the government placed the responsibility for the majority of the 2019/20 settlement with PCCs.

The £2 a month calculation is based on a Band D property.

Martyn Underhill added the government’s latest funding settlement did not address the considerable financial pressures currently on national policing nor reverse the eight years of austerity which has left Dorset Police with the lowest number of officers since 1981.

“Nevertheless, the flexibility that an extra £2 per month on the precept provides would leave Dorset Police in a much better position than was feared just a few months ago,” he said.

The roadshow will be at the following locations:

  • Blandford, Tesco, Thursday, January 10, 9am-11am
  • Dorchester, Tesco, Thursday, January 10, 12noon-2pm
  • Sherborne, Waitrose, Friday, January 11, 10am-12noon
  • Gillingham, Waitrose, Friday, January 11, 1pm-3pm
  • Bridport, Morrisons, Tuesday, January 15, 10am-12noon
  • Weymouth, Morrisons, Tuesday, January 15, 1pm-2.30pm
  • Portland, Tesco, Tuesday, January 15, 3.30pm-5pm
  • Swanage, Co-op, Friday, January 18, 10am-12noon
  • Wareham, Sainsbury’s, Friday, January 18, 1pm-3p

To complete the consultation online, visit dorsetpoliceprecept.com