Police Restructuring "Will cost taxpayers 30 per cent more".

12.00.00am GMT Tue 24th Jan 2006

The Government's rush to judgement over the future of the police in Wales could send council tax bills soaring across large parts of the Wales with Monmouthshire Council Tax payers facing a 30 per cent hike in the police precept, says a senior Assembly Member today.

Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "The Labour Government in Westminster and the Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain, appear hell-bent on creating a single Welsh Police force in double quick time. But one look at the way each of the forces is funded shows they haven't thought it through. The cost to local taxpayers looks severe."

Mr. German, who represents the Gwent region, was commenting after the Gwent Police Authority released financial implications from its 'Police Reform in Wales' survey into the proposed merger of Gwent into one all-Wales police service.

The Police Authority report estimates that the increase in the police precept (a portion of the council tax paid) will need to increase from the present £145.07 a year for Gwent to a potential £191.34, representing 32 per cent increase over two years.

Conney Millard added, "This is another hit on local taxpayers to pay for a one-all Wales police service leading to the loss of local and community policing. There will be a drain of resources away from towns like Monmouth into the centre of a super police force."