PEOPLE will have the chance to quiz Wiltshire's police and crime commissioner Angus Macpherson later today (January 17) when he holds a live questions and answer session via social media and phone between 5 and 7pm.

Mr Macpherson is holding the live chat as public consultation about a proposed increase in the policing part of council tax reaches its halfway point.

He is consulting on a proposal to increase the policing part of council tax for 2018-19 by a pound a month for the average band D household.

Currently the average band D household contributes £14.19 per month to local policing, but if residents back the proposal then this would rise to £15.19 per month.

Mr Macpherson said: As a force, Wiltshire Police has seen the second highest change in the country in emergency incidents when comparing 2015/16 with 2016/17, yet the funding we receive from central government doesn’t recognise the increasing pressures we face in Wiltshire.”

“In fact we receive the fourth lowest funding per head of population in England and Wales.”

Since 2010, in real terms Wiltshire Police has received £19 million less from central funding to police the area, but has been responding to more crimes and supporting more members of the public year on year.

Mr Macpherson said: “Whilst we live in an incredibly safe county, there’s only so far the budget will stretch and we’re streamlining our services to ensure they’re as efficient as possible at the same time as keeping the public safe, but we are feeling the squeeze more than ever.

“Without this increase Wiltshire Police will have to look at further reductions in officers and staff to close a budget gap of around £3m.

“That’s why I’m asking whether residents in Wiltshire and Swindon would be prepared to pay an extra £1 a month to help bridge this gap.

“This increase will mean that I can protect frontline services from further reductions and maintain the current level of service.”

The consultation which runs until January 31 wants to hear your views on the proposed increase.

To take part in the question and answer session go to #AskAngusPCC on social media.

For more information on how to share views visit www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk, or email pcc@wiltshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk.