Residents asked to contribute 10p a week to help offset police budget cuts

Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd

Residents are being asked by Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd to contribute 10p a week to help offset budget cuts.

Since 2010, the Greater Manchester force has lost £103m from its budget, and is losing 350 officers a year.

To offset this, Mr Lloyd is proposing a £5 annual additional contribution from residents.

The Taxpayers' Alliance rejected the idea, saying authorities should not "look to taxpayers" over spending decisions.

The force's government grant and council tax settlement for 2013/4 is £561m.

Greater Manchester Police lost £103m from its total budget since 2010 and this will increase by a further £114m by the end of 2018, the commissioner said.

Mr Lloyd said for the average band D property the extra contribution was the equivalent of £5 a year - or about 10p a week.

He said if policing cuts continued beyond 2017, Greater Manchester Police would not be able to maintain its service to the public.

The increase would potentially generate £3.3m, which the commissioner has promised would be spent on neighbourhood policing.

The proposal will be discussed at Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel on Friday.