Thames Valley Police will get 325 extra officers over the next three years.

The Home Office announced that funds for an extra 9,000 officers is to be made available nationwide on top of existing recruitment.

The force, which includes Oxfordshire, will receive an extra 111 in 2000/2001, 108 in 2001/2002 and 106 in 2002/2003. But the good news has been hampered by police chiefs' fears that they may have trouble enlisting new recruits on top of their normal enrolment levels.

Assistant Chief Constable Robert Davies said: "It is worth emphasising that the gain will only really emerge in the medium term because in the short-term we will need to allocate considerable resources to recruiting, training and developing the new recruits.

"As well as recruiting, we must continue to concentrate on the issue of retaining our existing officers, who may be tempted by a move to the Metropolitan Police in light of the 6,000 pay differential which is now on offer."