West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has called on the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner to abandon proposals to raise extra funds from a two per cent council tax hike this year. The MP met with deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Barrie Sheldon to discuss budgets. Mr Sheldon was standing in for Bill Longmore who is currently under-going treatment after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Harriett was briefed on proposed budget changes and discussed issues including proposals to re-locate police stations in her constituency, increasing visible neighbourhood policing and strategies to combat drug dealing. Harriett said: “I was keen to pass on my best wishes to Bill for a speedy recovery and to congratulate the West Mercia Force for the crime reduction figures. “Violence against the person has fallen 12 per cent, anti-social behaviour incidents have fallen by nine per cent and burglaries have fallen by 20 per cent. “I was also eager to support police plans to find cost savings working with Warwickshire Police and there are clearly further cost savings to be made. “Bearing in mind the fact that West Mercia Police is sitting on reserves that have increased to nearly £50 million I have asked the PCC to re-consider their proposals to increase their precept by two per cent this year, particularly since the Government is offering a one per cent grant to cover a freeze.” “I have formally written to the consultation reflecting these views.”