COUNCIL tax payers in Bolton will pay an average 19p a week extra to fund police services from April.

Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) has set a new budget which will see a 7.5 per cent increase in the police precept — the portion of the council tax bill that pays for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on top of government grants.

The precept has been set at £144.33 for a two-person B and D property, a charge of £2.77 per week — 19p per week more than 2009/10.

Two years ago, GMPA proposed a three-year deal where councils agreed to increase the precept by 7.5 per cent each year in return for an extra 104 bobbies on the beat.

GMPA chairman Cllr Paul Murphy said: “We have worked hard to present a balanced budget which not only protects the frontline and puts more officers in neighbourhoods, but also represents value for money and enables continuously improving police services.”

Chief Constable Peter Fahy added: “The coming year will see big changes to the way we police. This means more officers in local neighbourhood policing teams to tackle issues rather than continuing to rush from job to job.

“We have to continue to cut crime and ensure the efficient and effective use of resources so that they are focused on the frontline.”

Friday’s GMPA budget meeting was told the force is planning to move a minimum of 200 officers from response duties to neighbourhood teams. In addition, 200 posts undertaken by police officers will be carried out by police staff. The posts are in supporting roles that do not need the skills and powers of an officer. This move will save £1.2 million.

However, as The Bolton News revealed last year, GMP is also aiming to shed 300 police posts while a further 150 civilian jobs are under threat.

Further savings are also necessary through reducing overtime costs by £3.2 million, and reducing corporate budgets.