RESIDENTS in the Dyfed-Powys Police force area will pay less for policing services this year.

A proposal by Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon to lower the council tax precept by 5% was agreed on Friday (January 23) by the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel.

The new policing precept at council tax band D will be £200.07 (down from £210.60) – a decrease of 20.3p per week.

This, along with Government money and a contribution from reserves, will deliver total 2015-16 Dyfed-Powys police and crime funding of £95.6m.

Mr Salmon said: “This will lighten the load on the hard-pressed householders of an economically poor region. It’s been made possible by tough decisions I’ve taken to make Dyfed-Powys Police more efficient – and by the hard work of the Chief Constable, his officers and staff.

“The result will be more - and improved - policing for less money. We’ll have 100,000 extra hours on the beat this year, we’re on track to make £8.8m in savings by next year and now we’re giving some of that back to the public.

“My decision brings our precept more in line with others in Wales. Last year the people of Dyfed-Powys paid the second highest rate in Wales – now I believe they’ll pay the joint lowest.

“Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys will continue to be safe. Crime is falling; we have low crime rates and high detection rates. Our police are becoming more connected with traditional local communities and cutting edge digital communication; new and improved services are being introduced.

“Ours is not a rich part of the world but I can now ensure that families struggling with bills will pay a little bit less. Plans mean Dyfed-Powys householders will pay the same for policing in 2017 as they did in 2014. We will continue to invest in estates and IT to deliver 100,000 more officer hours to the front line in 2015 – and a modern, 21st century estate.”