THE cost of policing Thames Valley is set to rise by four per cent next year.

This represents a rise in the cost to the average band D council taxpayer of £5.57 a year.

The increase will enable Thames Valley to recruit an extra 21 police officers taking the total to 4,160 by March 2009. An extra four police staff will also be appointed, to give an overall total of 3,420.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "The budget includes full provision for pay increases and price rises, committed growth items and also enables the force to continue its investment in priority policing areas such as protective services and neighbourhood policing.

"This level of investment is only possible because we have identified over £7m of cashable savings through our productivity plan."

Police authority chairman Christine Weston said: "The budget agreed today represents an increase of just 11 pence per week for the average band D council taxpayer in Thames Valley.

"It will enable us to build on our recent successes, such as the seven per cent reduction in all crime since April 2007 which is helping to alleviate people's fear of crime. It will also allow us to make additional investment in protective services."

Chief Constable Sara Thornton said: "We have been very aware of the need to keep any increase in council tax to a minimum while ensuring that we provide improved protection to the people of Thames Valley. The increase in police officers will allow us to invest in more detective posts and sergeants."

The budget was agreed at a police authority meeting today.