Residents' council tax contributions towards the police are set to rise more than 6.5 per cent across Greater Manchester this year.

The Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept is set to rise £10 a year for Band A properties and £15 a year for Band D properties, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said.

The increase of £152.20 to £162.20 a year for Band A properties and of £228.30 to £243.30 a year for Band D properties constitutes an increase of more than 6.5 per cent amidst a cost of living crisis.

But the GMCA said the sum is still one of the lowest police precepts in the country, and suggested it is to be used on improvements in areas such as Neighbourhood Crime Teams, contact centre wait times and the capacities and capabilities of investigators.

They stressed the improvements under Chief Constable Stephen Watson at Greater Manchester Police (GMP), which came out of an almost two-year spell in "special measures" a matter of months ago.

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Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: "What I am asking local council taxpayers to do here is going to be tough amidst the cost of living crisis. It is not something I want to do, but it is the only way we can afford the quality of police service we need to keep us safe. 

"The government has not given us an inflation-proofed police grant increase and this means, even if the police precept is set at the maximum allowed of £15 per year for a Band D property, GMP will still need to make efficiencies. Anything lower than this will mean real cuts to our police service and risks putting all the improvements GMP have made in reverse.

"All police forces in the country are facing the same challenges, which is why most of the police and crime commissioners are looking to do the same as I am.

"Keeping the public of Greater Manchester safe is my priority and it is vital GMP have the resources they need to do this."

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A consultation started this week on the Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept, which is one of three parts of residents' council tax contributions.

The other parts are towards local authorities and the Mayoral General Precept, which is spent in areas such as the fire service.

Just last year, this consultation saw less than 25 per cent of people support an increase to the police precept, but it was approved in the presence of protesters at Manchester Central Convention Complex.

Deputy mayor Kate Green is hopeful of more support this time around.

Ms Green, who started in the role this week, said: "We’ve listened to the public who have told us they want the police to be more visible in their neighbourhoods and to tackle the everyday crimes that blight communities.

"It’s therefore crucial GMP has the officer numbers and other resources to enable them do the job you expect them to do.

"I hope through this consultation process, the public will be supportive of our proposals.”

The consultation closes on January 25. To contribute, go to gmconsult.org.