Crime is on the increase and council tax in Gloucestershire will have to increase to tackle it, says the man in charge of the county's police budget.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl said that the decision had to be made as the government had decided not to invest more money in local policing.

His statement comes as a report published today by the National Audit Office (NAO) says that police forces are ‘struggling to deliver effective services to the public’ due to the 30 per cent cuts in funding over the last eight years.

It also states that the cuts have put officers and staff under increasing pressure.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl said, “We can’t cut any deeper and there are only two people who can do anything about that, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the PCC.

“Last year the Home Office contributed about half the police budget for Gloucestershire which is already one of the lowest in the country. It’s now up to me to me to balance the books in such a way that allows the chief constable to continue to do his job effectively.

"It’s time to say enough is enough.

“Both the constabulary and my office have been praised by government inspectors for how we have managed our finances but we have to face facts, crime is on the increase.

"Not by as much in Gloucestershire as in other parts of the country, but people are understandably concerned and want the police to do something about it.

In order to put more police officers on the streets PCC Surl has asked Gloucestershire Constabulary to prepare a set of accounts to present to his department which would show the impact of increasing council tax by 4 or 5.3 per cent for each household in the county.

"The Home Office recommendation for a 5.3% increase in council tax would mean a band D householder having to pay an extra £12 per year or £1 per month," Martin said.

"I am conscious of some people’s ability to pay and it is important they understand why the police are asking for more”.

A rise of 4 per cent per home would raise an additional £1m per year; and a 5.3 per cent increase which would raise an additional £1.7m per year.

However the law dictates the public must be consulted on any council tax increase and the PCC is keen to hear public opinion.

People are being asked to register their views of where the police should invest - please register your opinion here.