Extra bobbies on the beat have been promised in Oxfordshire after police decided to increase the amount they charge council tax payers.

The county, which has a force of about 950 police officers, will receive 20 extra men and women over the next 12 months.

It comes after Thames Valley Police Authority agreed to increase the police precept element of the bill by about 13p a week from April.

Authority chairman Khan Juna pledged council tax funds would be spent on ensuring more officers are out on the streets in neighbourhood teams.

The 4.5 per cent precept increase will also pay for about a dozen extra civilian case workers, who will tackle mountains of paperwork and help regular officers get back out on the beat.

The move has been welcomed after it was revealed last month that police officer strength in the Thames Valley is one of the lowest in the country.

Mr Juna said: “These are difficult times for everybody, but we have listened to the public who have said they want to see more officers on the street.

“I am pleased that the budget will allow us to increase the number of front-line officers.

“That is what the public are telling us they want us to do, and I am pleased we have agreed a budget that will enable us to achieve this.

“In order to achieve this, and keep council tax increases down to a minimum, we have been working with the force to identify efficiency savings of nearly £8m.”

An average band D household in Oxfordshire will now pay a police precept of £151.27 per year or £2.91 per week.

This amounts to a £6.51 increase compared to 2008/09.

It means in Oxford a band D homeowner will pay a total council tax bill of £1,582.02 – up £57 on last year.

Andy Viney, secretary of Thames Valley Police Federation, said: “We are one of the few forces in the region showing an increase in police officer numbers and we welcome this.

“But we have one of the lowest proportion of population-to-police-officer ratios in the country, and still have a lot of catching up to do.

“I don’t think people will mind paying an increase. These police officers will appear on the streets and are going to be seen in neighbourhood and response teams.

“Although 20 spread across Oxfordshire is not a lot, we have to be realistic and look at what we can afford in these economic times.”

Police figures show there are 4,186 police officers in the Thames Valley which is 1.27 per 1,000 residents.

This puts Thames Valley Police 35th out of 42 forces and below the average of 1.47 officers per 1,000 people for England and Wales.

The council tax increase will pay for an extra 68 officers in the Thames Valley over the next financial year.

Buckinghamshire will receive an extra 13 officers, Milton Keynes eight, Berkshire East 13.5, and Berkshire West 12.5.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk