TAXPAYERS in Essex could be asked to pay £50 a year more for policing.

Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston is campaigning to have the cap on council tax increases for policing lifted.

Essex Police sets a levy which is added to the council tax demands of councils and Essex Fire and Rescue.

Mr Alston wants to bring the police’s demand closer to the £200 a year set by most councils around the country.

Householders in an average Band D property in Essex currently pay less than £150.

It means, with more Government cuts looming, Essex could soon have the fewest police officers per head of population.

Mr Alston, said: “I will make the case with the new Government for the removal of the cap on any policing precept increase for 2016-17.

“This would enable me to address the council taxpayer funding shortfall and deliver firm financial foundations for Essex Police.”

Mr Alston added: “I believe Essex Police has the budget to continue to deliver professional policing throughout 2015-16, but beyond that the funding situation is perilous. Essex Police receives less money from council taxpayers than almost any other force.

“The simple truth is the budget of Essex Police is falling further behind that of other forces year by year.

“With around 85 per cent of the police budget spent on salaries, however hard we work to deliver efficiency, this growing imbalance will have a direct impact on the force’s effectiveness.”

The extra funding would pay for more than 300 extra officers to help combat crimes like child exploitation, online grooming, abuse of the elderly and cyber fraud as well as organised crime.

Mr Alston said: “I support low taxation, but at the same time, I also have the responsibility of ensuring Essex Police is fit to face future challenges.”