Northamptonshire Police could ask public to pay more
- Published
Stephen Mold said a potential referendum could happen in 2019
A police force may hold a referendum asking the public to pay more money directly to the force, according to its police and crime commissioner.
Stephen Mold, PCC for Northamptonshire, believes the county gets a "raw deal" when it comes to funding.
The proposed revenue budget for 2017-18 was £122.6m, but predicted government funding could decrease.
Mr Mold may hold a referendum in 2019 if they had "exhausted everything with central government".
'£6m less in 2022'
Mr Mold told the Â鶹ԼÅÄ: "I potentially might be needing to come to the people of Northamptonshire with a referendum and say 'you've got a choice: lose these services or pay that bit more'."
He then added that it is "not something I would like to do".
Earlier this year, the Northamptonshire Police and Crime Panel budget report said: "Anticipated government funding in 2021-22 will be over £6m less than in 2016-17."
A similar referendum previously took place in Bedfordshire in 2015, when council taxpayers voted against a £4.5m rise in their bills to pay for the police.
The Â鶹ԼÅÄ Office has been contacted for a response.