Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner says he has not given up on the idea of holding a referendum over increasing the amount of council tax paid to Surrey Police.

While seeking support for a 24 per cent rise in council tax earlier this year, Kevin Hurley warned the public of the consequences of cuts including the loss of 500 frontline staff.

But he shelved the plan and instead opted for a 1.99 per cent increase - just under the level needed to trigger a referendum.

He said he did not want his message over the reality of police cuts and council tax to become obscured by May's General Election. But he said: “I have not cancelled my plan."