Have a say on South Yorkshire Police's budget

About 30 per cent of the South Yorkshire force’s funding comes from the precept, with the rest from central grants.

The Government has set aside extra money for forces — but only if every region opts for the maximum increase.

South Yorkshire police commissioner Dr Alan Billings said: “Over the last few years the number of police officers reduced dramatically.

“I now believe that we need to put more officers back into our neighbourhood policing teams and increase the number of officers across the board to meet the demands the Force is facing.

“But this can only happen if the precept is raised by about £16 for the year for most council tax payers who are in band A and B properties. This would be £24 for band D properties.”

South Yorkshire’s band D amount rose by £12 last year — the maximum allowed — and followed two consecutive increases of £5.

Visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6R5Y6QS by January 18 to have your say