North Wales Police bill up

North Wales council taxpayers will be faced with an above-inflation increase of 3.44% in the bill for policing.

Members of the Police and Crime Panel agreed the rise at at their Conwy meeting.

Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick QC said it would equate to an extra 17p a week per average household and increase the precept to a total of more than £66.6 million.

He told members that it is the fifth consecutive year of severe cuts for the force and it is likely that a £15.5 million reduction will have to be found in the next four years.