FOREST MP Mark Harper has challenged Gloucestershire's new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl, to keep his election promise to freeze the police share of the council tax.

He says Mr Surl should stay in line with Conservative councillors on local councils or have the courage to ask people vote on the issue in a referendum.

"In the consultation issued by the PCC focusing on the level of Gloucestershire Constabulary's precept for the 2013/14 financial year, he hasn't included the freeze option, just a range of tax rises," states Mr Harper.

"The police precept is part of the Council Tax bill, and currently stands at £199.69 per year for a Band D household – the fourth highest level in England (excluding London).

"I am disappointed that just two months after his election, Martin Surl is already thinking about breaking his manifesto pledge to not raise local taxes.

"His consultation doesn't include the freeze option which he promised, just a range of rises.

If he's not going to keep his promise to freeze council tax but instead raises taxes on hard-pressed families he should have the courage to ask them what they think in a referendum."

In response Mr Surl said: "If we introduce a freeze, we won't be able to absorb the cuts the government expects us to make in the future which could affect frontline services and our ability to reduce crime and increase peace and good order in the county.

"I want to take a sensible view to longer term planning and would rather have a policy of 'invest to save', than incur even greater losses later on."