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| Hain backs 9.8% police cash rise | Hain backs 9.8% police cash rise |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain says he believes council tax payers would be willing to pay an extra 2p a day to ensure adequate policing. | Former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain says he believes council tax payers would be willing to pay an extra 2p a day to ensure adequate policing. |
| The Neath MP spoke out in the row over South Wales Police's budget rise of 5% raised through council tax. | The Neath MP spoke out in the row over South Wales Police's budget rise of 5% raised through council tax. |
| Chief constable Barbara Wilding wanted almost double that figure - 9.8% - and said she was now faced with looking at cutting police jobs. | Chief constable Barbara Wilding wanted almost double that figure - 9.8% - and said she was now faced with looking at cutting police jobs. |
| Mr Hain said the force was being "crippled" by an "inadequate budget". | Mr Hain said the force was being "crippled" by an "inadequate budget". |
| Ms Wilding said about an extra 2p a day from each council tax payer would help. | Ms Wilding said about an extra 2p a day from each council tax payer would help. |
| Mr Hain said he supported Ms Wilding and called for the budget, which was set by the South Wales Police Authority, to be looked at again. | Mr Hain said he supported Ms Wilding and called for the budget, which was set by the South Wales Police Authority, to be looked at again. |
| Speaking to BBC Wales, he warned of potentially "serious consequences" because of the lack of funding and said MPs and AMs had been told months ago of the budget difficulties. | Speaking to BBC Wales, he warned of potentially "serious consequences" because of the lack of funding and said MPs and AMs had been told months ago of the budget difficulties. |
| "South Wales Police have had to carry the responsibility, compared with the three other forces [in Wales]. | "South Wales Police have had to carry the responsibility, compared with the three other forces [in Wales]. |
| "Significant responsibility for extra duties, whether it's royal visits, whether it's Millennium Stadium occasions or some of the anti-terrorist work that they conduct along the M4, serious crime problems that sometimes happen around the M4 corridor. | "Significant responsibility for extra duties, whether it's royal visits, whether it's Millennium Stadium occasions or some of the anti-terrorist work that they conduct along the M4, serious crime problems that sometimes happen around the M4 corridor. |
| "South Wales Police has got a much heavier policing burden than the other forces - that's not to decry them. | "South Wales Police has got a much heavier policing burden than the other forces - that's not to decry them. |
| Chief Constable Barbara Wilding says 140 police officers may have to go | Chief Constable Barbara Wilding says 140 police officers may have to go |
| "But when you find that South Wales Police's precept [raised through council tax] is £50 a year less than North Wales Police and £30 a year less than Gwent and Dyfed-Powys. And now all Barbara Wilding is saying is let's try and close that gap in a modest way that, as she says, will be about 2p a day for council tax payers. | "But when you find that South Wales Police's precept [raised through council tax] is £50 a year less than North Wales Police and £30 a year less than Gwent and Dyfed-Powys. And now all Barbara Wilding is saying is let's try and close that gap in a modest way that, as she says, will be about 2p a day for council tax payers. |
| "I think we would want that because we want to see all these tasks carried out as well as of course the drive towards more neighbourhood policing to which she's committed." | "I think we would want that because we want to see all these tasks carried out as well as of course the drive towards more neighbourhood policing to which she's committed." |
| South Wales Police Authority, which has been warned by the assembly government to be efficient, refused to grant a 9.8% increase as Ms Wilding had requested. | South Wales Police Authority, which has been warned by the assembly government to be efficient, refused to grant a 9.8% increase as Ms Wilding had requested. |
| It said it reached the "difficult decision" to raise it by 5% so as not to laiden the tax payer with "hefty bills" during the current economic climate. | It said it reached the "difficult decision" to raise it by 5% so as not to laiden the tax payer with "hefty bills" during the current economic climate. |
| The chief constable said legal counsel had now been chosen to look at the authority's decision. | The chief constable said legal counsel had now been chosen to look at the authority's decision. |
| Stations could close | Stations could close |
| Ms Wilding said the force had declared a "critical incident" following the 5% rise and warned it could mean about 140 police officers or 280 police staff could be lost. | Ms Wilding said the force had declared a "critical incident" following the 5% rise and warned it could mean about 140 police officers or 280 police staff could be lost. |
| She is also looking to see if any police stations or buildings can be closed. | She is also looking to see if any police stations or buildings can be closed. |
| She said: "I am not scare-mongering, I am a career detective and used to dealing with facts and evidence - this is the stark reality of the situation". | She said: "I am not scare-mongering, I am a career detective and used to dealing with facts and evidence - this is the stark reality of the situation". |
| The increase in the police precept for South Wales Police, raised through council tax, amounts to an extra 13p per week for a Band D household. | The increase in the police precept for South Wales Police, raised through council tax, amounts to an extra 13p per week for a Band D household. |
| It means the overall policing budget for the South Wales force for the next year will be £248.5m - a 3.4% increase. | It means the overall policing budget for the South Wales force for the next year will be £248.5m - a 3.4% increase. |
| The assembly government had warned that police authorities had to be efficient and the minister did not expect "unreasonable council tax increases" to be imposed on the "already hard-pressed householder". | The assembly government had warned that police authorities had to be efficient and the minister did not expect "unreasonable council tax increases" to be imposed on the "already hard-pressed householder". |
| Would you be willing to pay an extra 2p a day to give South Wales Police what the chief constable says the force needs? Send us your comments. | Would you be willing to pay an extra 2p a day to give South Wales Police what the chief constable says the force needs? Send us your comments. |
| No - residents shouldnt be asked to pay an extra 2p a day. A big shake up of the system is needed. Our Police Force is the most expensive Police Force in the world. Lisa Brown, Bridgend | No - residents shouldnt be asked to pay an extra 2p a day. A big shake up of the system is needed. Our Police Force is the most expensive Police Force in the world. Lisa Brown, Bridgend |
| Get the cops out on foot instead of driving around in expensive BMW'S Mercedes and Volvo's that will save us all some moneyJeff Wiltshire, Neath Neath and Port Talbot | Get the cops out on foot instead of driving around in expensive BMW'S Mercedes and Volvo's that will save us all some moneyJeff Wiltshire, Neath Neath and Port Talbot |
| All these services have had millions of pounds of taxpayers money thrown at them over the past few years, now during a recession they should realise that putting extra pressure on the taxpayer isnt right, I get the impression that I'm paying more for someones pension that for the service.Martin, Pontypool | All these services have had millions of pounds of taxpayers money thrown at them over the past few years, now during a recession they should realise that putting extra pressure on the taxpayer isnt right, I get the impression that I'm paying more for someones pension that for the service.Martin, Pontypool |
| 2p a day is 7 quid a year, who cares! as a percentage of the (already extortionate) council tax bill its not even worth discussing. I'd rather buy one less pizza this year and have a half decent police force!Leighton, Neath, UK | 2p a day is 7 quid a year, who cares! as a percentage of the (already extortionate) council tax bill its not even worth discussing. I'd rather buy one less pizza this year and have a half decent police force!Leighton, Neath, UK |
| I would certanly give 2p per day if it was used to put police back on the beat but that's not going to happen is it? As it is I feel that we are cheated out of what we pay, the police are lazy and show no interest in resolving the issues that bother most people. Happy with a speed camera though..John, Cardiff UK | I would certanly give 2p per day if it was used to put police back on the beat but that's not going to happen is it? As it is I feel that we are cheated out of what we pay, the police are lazy and show no interest in resolving the issues that bother most people. Happy with a speed camera though..John, Cardiff UK |
| Whilst I agree that increased funding for policing is nominally a just proposal..there is no denying that we need more police (with more powers, but that is a different matter), should it not be funded by re-allocating the existing funds raised and disgracefully wasted by our zealously spendthrift council(s)?I think most would agree that the council have too much, police don't have enough, and the results are clearly visible. M Davies, Aberdare, South Wales | Whilst I agree that increased funding for policing is nominally a just proposal..there is no denying that we need more police (with more powers, but that is a different matter), should it not be funded by re-allocating the existing funds raised and disgracefully wasted by our zealously spendthrift council(s)?I think most would agree that the council have too much, police don't have enough, and the results are clearly visible. M Davies, Aberdare, South Wales |
| Mr Hain wants to speak for himself. I am not in favor of 2p a day on my council tax. The police want to look at in house saving not putting the burden on the tax payer. This is all to common for the tax payer to pick up the bill. I would like to know how much it costs the tax payer for policing football matches. Mr Steve Kime, Swansea | Mr Hain wants to speak for himself. I am not in favor of 2p a day on my council tax. The police want to look at in house saving not putting the burden on the tax payer. This is all to common for the tax payer to pick up the bill. I would like to know how much it costs the tax payer for policing football matches. Mr Steve Kime, Swansea |
| People never have a good thing to say about the police until they need them! As regard to the earlier comment fm Martin from Pontypool suggesting that he's paying for someones pension, what people should be made aware of is that the officers pay over 11% fm their monthly pay, which is far more than the average worker. Police officers are citizens as well and they are exasperated as anyone else as to how the cuts are affecting the police service.Carl, Aberdare | People never have a good thing to say about the police until they need them! As regard to the earlier comment fm Martin from Pontypool suggesting that he's paying for someones pension, what people should be made aware of is that the officers pay over 11% fm their monthly pay, which is far more than the average worker. Police officers are citizens as well and they are exasperated as anyone else as to how the cuts are affecting the police service.Carl, Aberdare |
| Ever looked at a police car park lately? Its like a car show room full of unused (nearly new) police cars, costing probably in excess of £10,000 pounds each. Sell off some of these unused assets and get the police back out on the beat! Graham, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan | |
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