The police precept will increase in 2025/26, and 90 extra police officers will be recruited, Hampshire’s top police chief has said.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime panel has approved the proposed precept increase, which will increase the amount of council tax paid to police by £14 per year for a Band D property in 2025/26.

Under proposals set out by the police and crime commissioner at the meeting on January 31, the precept outlined funding for 50 more police officers through the increase in council tax.

However, after the government announced an extra £100m for policing, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones announced that the force would be able to recruit a further 90 police officers, bringing the total number of additional police officers recruited since 2020 to 815.

She said that despite the “invidious” situation of many police forces across the country having to cut police staff, community support officers, and police officers, she is able to propose recruiting more police officers.

“I’m absolutely delighted to say that we are looking at around 90 extra brand-new officers,” she said.

“The funding coming from the government is our share of about £100 million on the proviso that the £1.17 per month for a band D property is, in fact, supported. So the Home Secretary does say in her letter that she is anticipating that being based on the £14 precept being delivered.”

The PCC said that the recruitment of those new police officers is anticipated to take 18 months, “probably September or October”.

However, despite needing more police staff, specifically eight more police vetting officers, the commissioner said they are “going to keep back” on that aspect because “we know there are going to be pressures in other parts of the system”.

For 2024/25, the precept in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (HIOW) was set at £10, the lowest increase in the country.

However, all PCCs are expected to increase their council tax precept by £14 this year.

Residents were consulted about the proposal in previous months. The data showed that 77 per cent of residents support an increase, and 64 per cent support an increase between £10 and £20.

With the panel’s approval, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight force budget will be based on 59 per cent government funding and 41 per cent council tax.

Cllr Tonia Craig said that she wouldn’t support the precept since the increase does not reflect the needs or wants of a police force and is being dedicated by the government to a “blackmail of getting extra money.”

“It’s interesting that the government has capped everybody at £14 and every council is raising at £14 maximum,” Cllr Craig said.

“I think you said the only extra money we’re going to get is if we go for the £14. That, to me, is just so farcical because you’re being dictated as to how much money to put up on a blackmail of getting extra money, and that, does not reflect what you need and what you want as a police force.

“It’s a dictator thing to me, and that doesn’t sit well with me.”

Cllr Joanne Burton, in support of the increase of council tax, said that despite seeing increased pressures and demands, prices hiking and services being cut, “we are not seeing a cut in services here, we are seeing an increased service.”

She added: “People do believe they are getting something of great value for their money.”

Donna Jones said: “We are going to do everything in our power to make sure every single penny of public money is spent in this police force so we can protect and keep our front line.”