Thames Valley Police may ask for further increases in its share of the council tax because it does not have enough money for building projects.

The force's share of the council tax is already projected to increase next year by 39 per cent for band D properties -- or £28.50 -- to improve policing and meet spending commitments.

The force needs to spend £289m in 2003-04, of which about £83m would be council tax.

But Thames Valley Police Authority's strategy, finance and planning committee heard on Friday, December 20, that it had the option of increasing its share of the bill by a further four per cent -- or £3 per household -- to fund its capital programme.

It needs to find £10m extra over the next four years to improve buildings. The shortfall could be met by raising £2.5m in each year from council tax.

Alternatively, it could drop projects from its capital programme, or use Private Finance Initiative funding.

However, the proposed council tax hike of 39 per cent would be the highest ever increase in the police's share of the bill.

Chief Constable Peter Neyroud said a three per cent increase in its central Government funding for 2003-04 did not take account of the force's problems in retaining staff.