Here's Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert's latest Argus column:

AT THE end of January I took the difficult decision to increase the council tax precept.

The precept is the portion of council tax that you pay towards policing in Gwent.

Following a nine-week public engagement exercise and a robust financial case put forward by Gwent Police, I have agreed to a 6.99 per cent rise, which is about £1.39 a month for the average household.

I would like to thank everyone who gave us their views, along with the Gwent Police and Crime Panel for their scrutiny and support.

This decision was not taken lightly but I believe it is the right one.

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The extra funding will allow Gwent Police to increase the number of police officers in the service and invest in priority areas such as organised crime, cyber-crime and supporting vulnerable people.

One excellent example of the work Gwent Police is doing to support vulnerable people is Operation Encompass, which launched at the start of February.

This is a scheme to safeguard children who are exposed to domestic abuse.

In January alone there were 599 reports to Gwent Police of children who either experienced domestic abuse first hand or were present during an incident. We know that hundreds more experience abuse that goes unreported.

As part of Operation Encompass, police will inform schools of any domestic abuse incidents that have involved or been witnessed by children before classes start the following day, allowing schools to put the appropriate safeguarding measures in place.

It will improve the way that Gwent Police and schools work together to look after children who are often unable to reach out and ask for help.

Following a successful trial in Newport in 2018, I am delighted to say that all five Gwent councils are now signed up.

I would like also to take the opportunity of this column to reassure residents that there are no plans to stop the 101 phone lines at night.

The Argus reported recently that this is being proposed by some police forces as a cost saving measure.

I have spoken with the Chief Constable who has assured me that this is not being considered here in Gwent.

The 101 phone line is a valuable service that ensures that Gwent Police are available to respond to residents 24 hours a day.

Finally, I have launched an e-news bulletin to keep residents up to date with my activities and those of my office.

You can sign up in English at http://eepurl.com/gcUkVj or Welsh at http://eepurl.com/ge9oFL