PCC says web giants should pay more to tackle the rise in crime
Householders in Gloucestershire are being asked to help meet the cost of the rise in crime, but Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl says it’s the big internet companies who should pay more.
The 10.6% rise was the maximum permitted by the Home Office and saw the average householder’s council tax bill rise by an extra £2 per month. Taking into account rising inflation and other commitments agreed by the government, it meant the Chief Constable had an extra £4.1m to invest. Mr. Surl said, “The Chief Constable made a compelling case and I am grateful both for the support of the County Council’s Police and Crime Panel and to everyone who contributed to the debate through the public consultation. “Gloucestershire already receives one of the lowest grants from central government and I will continue
to lobby for a fairer allocation of funds. I have also made it clear that I think police funding should be the responsibility of national government and that central government cuts are not sustainable and have had consequences. The big internet companies, who must bear much of the responsibility for the increase in web related crime, should also pay their share. “For the foreseeable future, though, the government has decided to put the burden on local people, so we have no other choice” l
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