POLICE force funding will give Swindon and Wiltshire 62 new officers - and could see the precept rise to its highest possible amount.

The government's extra money for the county assumes the police and crime commissioner Philip Wilkinson will take a maximum precept rise to the policing element of the council tax and includes the additional uplift grant for the extra officers.

It is not yet clear how many of the new officers promised by the PM will be going to Swindon specifically.

Mr Wilkinson said: “On the face of it, Sunday’s announcement is a positive step in the right direction.

"But it is important that residents realise the figures released yesterday include the assumption that I will take the maximum precept increase and includes the uplift grant to recruit 62 extra officers to Wiltshire.

“That said, I am delighted Wiltshire will have those extra officers to enable us to make positive impacts in our communities, aid the fight against crime and ensure criminals know Wiltshire isn’t a soft option.

“Wiltshire is the fourth lowest-funded force in the country and ensuring we get our fair share will always be top of my agenda. However, we need to ensure what funding we do have is used efficiently and focused on the front-line and delivery.

“Now I, along with my team, will be looking at what this funding announcement means in real terms in the coming weeks and will be able to pull together our proposals for next year’s precept.

“Once the detail has been scrutinised, I will be able to propose my new budget, including the police precept, and will be asking you to give your views during January.

“I asked some questions around a rise in the policing precept in my latest survey. Many of you were keen that I ensured Wiltshire Police get the funding they need to deliver a quality policing service trusted by our communities and I intend to do just that.”

Since 2018, Wiltshire Police’s officer numbers will have increased from 934 to 1096 by March 2022 and will be at 1,158 officers by March 2023. These have been paid for by uplift and the policing precept.

Mr Wilkinson pointed out the current funding formula means PCCs will not be able to ask for more than a £10 per Band D household rise next year – any more than that would require having to hold a local referendum.

Currently, Wiltshire and Swindon residents pay £231 per year, per Band D household, for their policing service.

A £10 per year increase is a 4.3 per cent increase and equates to an 83p rise, per month, per household, in a Band D property.

Mr Wilkinson added: “This year has been another incredibly tough one with the economic impact from the pandemic still being felt in many corners of our communities.

"We know that any increase will be felt keenly.

“No decision has yet been made but delivering the police service that you have asked me to do will be my top priority throughout all of our considerations. You have used your voice and I am listening."