Guy Renner Thompson has attacked Labour rival and current Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, over her proposed council tax rise.
Kim McGuinness is running a consultation on raising the police precept by an inflation busting 7.7%, on top of a 9.75% increase last year and 6.95% the year before.
Guy, who is campaigning to become the first North East Mayor said, “Despite an increase in Government Grant to Northumbria Police of £21.8 million pounds this year, Kim McGuinness is yet again asking to ramp up taxes for working families in the North East.
At the same time police funds have been used for bowling equipment, dance classes and a project to explore gender identity. In the latest police inspection, Northumbria Police was found to be failing to record crimes and provide an effective service to tackle anti-social behaviour, the scourge of many communities in the North East.
I have pledged not to raise council tax or business rates if elected Mayor. Kim McGuinness and the Labour Party can not be trusted to keep taxes down or look after your money well.”
