A POLICE chief is proposing to add a further 115 officers to the region's ranks as part of future budget plans.

The proposal by John Campion, police and crime commissioner for West Mercia, is in addition to the 100 extra posts that he announced earlier this year.

He 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.”

If the proposals go ahead, it would take the number of West Mercia Police officers to around 2,150 officers – the highest level since 2012.

The investment would be funded by an increase in central grant funding from government, as well as an rise in council tax of around £1.63 per month for the average household in 2019/20.

For 2019/20, the total draft budget for West Mercia is £224.4m.

This includes an increase of approximately £2.4m in central funding.

“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," the commisoner added.

“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”.

A consultation on the draft budget has now started, and will close on January 209.

For more information, visit www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk