Funding 'making difference' in Staffordshire serious crime fight
Serious crime is being tackled "head on" across Staffordshire through increased funding, Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has said.
PCC Matthew Ellis, who raised the council tax precept for residents by £24 on average in April, said the boost has made a "difference" to tackling the issue.
It came after shrinking Government funding had made policing become "harder and harder".
Mr Ellis, who has held the position since 2012 and will not be standing in next year's election, said: "The last seven years has seen crime continue to evolve, becoming ever more complex and diverse in its nature.
"As Government funding has shrunk over recent years, efficiencies have been driven harder and harder.
"In 2019 I asked local taxpayers for more investment towards policing and it's already making a difference tackling serious criminality head on, including more digital and online capabilities, new specialist police disruptionteams, a return to dedicated roads policing and an increase in overall police officer numbers."
The Conservative politician also paid tribute to his staff and the emergency services, complimenting their "overwhelmingly" professional work.
