A CONSULTATION has been launched over plans to increase the amount Isle of Wight residents pay for policing.

Last week, the government announced it would allow police forces to increase the police precept by up to £2 a month — or £24 a year — for a Band D property.

Police bosses welcomed the news.

A consultation has now been launched on the plans, to capture public opinion.

Last year, the cost of policing went up by £1 a month.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner, Michael Lane, said the additional funding would enable the force to tackle the increasing demand for public services.

He said the funding would be used to protect recruiting and training, to the order of 200 new police officers and 60 police staff investigators. It will also fund a new course for police and community support officers.

Mr Lane said local communities would have the same level of policing support.

In a joint statement, Hampshire Constabulary’s chief constable, Olivia Pinkney, and Alex Charge, the Hampshire Police Federation chair, said: “We very much welcome today’s announcement that our police and crime commissioner is recommending the maximum investment for policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and that this would all be used on policing services.

“The challenges of funding faced by the constabulary are well documented, and this would give us the opportunity to protect the service we can offer to our local communities.”

The survey is available online.