North East taxpayers face higher bills for a £4m drive to keep more police officers on the street and improve 999 calls.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Kim McGuinness has confirmed plans to increase the police precept portion of council tax bills by almost 7%.
The increase will amount to £10 a year for a Band D household and £6.67 for a Band A, which represents the majority of properties in the Northumbria area – across Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
