RESIDENTS have the last chance to have a say on a potential increase in policing costs in the county.

Dorset Police is proposing a £1.25 increase to the precept - the element of a monthly council tax bill that funds policing - which will enable police to deliver a balanced budget, pay for additional costs and recruit new officers.

Dorset Police are predicting they will recruit 64 new officers by the end of March.

Residents have been asked to have their say on the price increase by filling in a survey.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: "An additional £1.25 a month will allow the force to meet unavoidable costs and allow the further recruitment of additional officers."

If approved, the figure would see those living in a Band D property pay an additional £15 a year for policing in the county.

The deadline for completing the survey is the end of Friday, January 22.

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6XMG28N