COUNCIL taxpayers will be charged an extra £10 in the year from April to help police improve outcomes for victims of crime.

The rise on average Band D households, which equates to 84p a month, will enable Avon and Somerset Police to invest in extra police staff investigators and PCSOs.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said today's decision follows a public consultation in which people said they would support the increase in the policing part of their council tax bills.

The council, district, town and parish councils have yet to announce how much council tax they will charge.

Ms Mountstevens said the increase would fund an additional 75 police staff investigators, who will focusing on improving outcomes for victims, and an extra 15 PCSOs to work closely with schools.

She added: "I am pleased that the Police and Crime Panel have supported my decision to increase the precept.

"However, I am always conscious that any increase in household bills is felt by residents and I never take a decision to raise the policing part of the council tax lightly.

"Since 2012, it has been a priority of mine to put victims first. The investment in an additional 75 police staff investigators will aim to improve outcomes for victims and ensure we continue to give them a voice.

"Concerns have quite rightly been growing across the country as we hear of more young people becoming involved in serious violence and becoming victims of knife crime.

"With this in mind, by ensuring PCSOs continue to work with local schools, we can capitalise on opportunities to intervene early to prevent the harm that violence can cause to individuals and communities. Today’s decision helps that on-going work."

The Police and Crime Panel is independent of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and oversees the work of the area’s Police and Crime Commissioner.