THE police and crime commissioner is looking for views on how much residents are prepared to pay towards policing in Lancashire.

Since 2010,the county's constabulary has had to make more than £72million of savings and will have to find £16million by 2020.

Clive Grunshaw, the police and crime commissioner, said: "In their announcement before Christmas, the government highlighted the need to invest in policing after years of cuts, but are passing the buck on to residents.

"The government's proposals mean that any extra funding to invest in policing must come from council tax payers - the Home Office will not be providing additional funding to police Lancashire.

"With rising demands on the service, increasing costs through inflation and growing online threats we cannot accept a further reduction in our police budget.

"This is why I am asking residents like yourself how much you might be prepared to contribute towards local policing.

"Across the county, residents tell me that they want to see better investment in policing.

"It might seem like a small amount but an extra 23p per week from the average household would raise over £5m for policing in Lancashire.

"This would protect officer and staff roles that would otherwise be lost and allow us to invest in a better policing service, fit for the future."