A poor three per cent rise in investment for Essex Police will result in taxpayers coughing up for the shortfall, it has been claimed.
The rise announced by the Government this week, which is substantially less than the average national rise of 4.3 per cent, means the force's 2003/4 budget of £155.8million still falls well short of its proposed £212.6million.
This year's £155.8million basic grant includes the extra three per cent.
Essex will also receive £2.3million for the start-up of the new police Airwave radio communication scheme and £500,000 towards rural policing.
The Government's grant for the coming year has disappointed Essex Police Authority chairman Robert Chambers, who said: "The Government hasn't given us what we want, but we remain keen to improve policing services to the people of Essex.
"I am aware community safety is a priority and I hope council taxpayers will understand the difficulty we are facing in meeting the cost of this objective."
He pointed out, however, the average household would pay only about 30p a week for more policing.
Published Friday, February 7, 2003
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