POLICE Commissioner for the Thames Valley Anthony Stansfeld today approved a council tax rise to protect front line police.
Taxpayers in Oxfordshire will pay £12 extra each year to the police part of their council tax.
The move, Mr Stansfeld said at a 'level one' budget meeting at Thame Valley Police’s headquarters in Kidlington, will help protect the force from more significant cuts.
In a move that will come as a surprise to many, no decision was taken on cuts to police dogs and horses.
approving the budget, Mr Stansfeld said: "There are no fundamental cuts to front line policing in this budget.
"If we don't increase the council tax then we wouldn't have an option but to look at cutting the front line."
Cuts to the dog support unit and mounted unit, both of which which Thames Valley Police share with Hampshire Constabulary, were expected in today's budget.
Both units are under review but no decision has been taken at this stage.
Extra funding will go towards protecting vulnerable people and tackling child sexual exploitation.
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