West Midlands Police wants to raise its council tax charge by 拢12 per year - the maximum allowed without a vote.
It means the average band D household will pay a total 拢128.55 per year for policing, up from 拢116.55, an inflation busting rise of more than ten per cent.
Labour Police commissioner David Jamieson said that he has to raise the charge to make up for cuts in the grant from Government.
And he stressed that the West Midlands Police charge is likely to remain the second lowest in the 海角视频, even after the hike. The third lowest is West Yorkshire at 拢150.95.
The police charge, called a precept is added to the council tax bill along with further precepts for the fire service, transport authority and any parish councils.
Mr Jamieson said: 鈥淭he public have made it clear to me that despite government cuts they want local neighbourhood policing to be protected. I will do all I can to focus resources into that area.
鈥淭he government have made it clear that to part cover their reduction in police funding they expect police commissioners to increase council tax precept by the maximum amount. That would mean council tax increasing by 拢12 a year or a 拢1 a month for a Band D council taxpayer.
鈥淎 on the policing precept in the West Midlands would still mean that local people are paying more than 拢50 less than neighbouring forces such as Staffordshire, West Mercia and Warwickshire.
鈥淲ith the force still facing real terms cuts it is the only option left to protect services. Just to standstill West Midlands Police needs 拢22 million. I would much prefer government gave us the funding we require, however this increase will enable me to continue with planned recruitment to stabilise officer numbers.
鈥淏efore I make my final decision on the local policing precept I want to hear the views of the public. Please get in touch and fill in our online survey.鈥
He said if the charge was frozen then the police would lose 拢9.5 million funding, equivalent to 190 police officers.
The public can submit their views via an online survey which will remain open until February 2.
