Funding for control room upgrades will come from the precept, Suffolk’s PCC has warned.

Central government funding isn’t enough for a crucial overhaul of a new police call centre, Suffolk’s PCC has warned.

Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore (Con) warned council tax payers their precept will have to go up to cover the cost of an upgrade so that the force can deal with the rise in police contact via smart phones and social media.

Mr Passmore, a persistent critic of the central government funding formula, told residents the force had again been given a settlement by the Home Office that didn’t meet the demands on services.

In his consultation, he has opted for the full £10 increase for a Band D property which the Home Office has effectively demanded. It will give the force an extra £2.5m.

To sweeten the pill, Mr Passmore said the increase would improve 101 call answering and digital contact developments so that control room staff can utilise messaging apps and other developments to improve contact with callers.

He argued the force would be more efficient and effective as a result – and revealed the force is also having to make savings.

Mr Passmore said: “Our funding from government this year is just not enough, even with the savings programme already agreed. I need to increase the precept to maintain the level of service we currently receive. The full £10 increase (for a band D property) will give us an extra £2.5m for policing in the county.”

More than £1m will be used to cover increased costs and pay which leaves £1.4m to invest in the control room upgrade.

The money will be used to recruit additional staff and recruit extra Sergeants to manage the extra operations generated by the call centre. A new specialist desk will handle reports from online and social media contact.

Mr Passmore said it was now a vital investment: “In all my public engagement, including the recent consultation on my new Police and Crime Plan, the one thing that came through loud and clear was the public’s dissatisfaction with the 101 service.  It is absolutely crucial I address these concerns.

“I have worked closely with the Chief Constable to agree how the potential funding will be allocated. It is a difficult balance but one that I believe meets the needs of the council taxpayer. I hope people will take the opportunity to respond to the survey and let me know their thoughts.”