POLICE bosses are to set a precept of six per cent - double the headline inflation figure of three per cent.
Councillor Russell Hart, vice chairman of Cleveland Police Authority said: "We seek to ring-fence that increase for the provision of (more) police officers.
"We are talking about pennies here,'' he insisted.
Independent member Barry Foxton warned: "At the end of the day the force needs the support - the enthusiastic support - of the general public and you will not get it if the general public feels they are being screwed.''
Councillor Ian Jeffrey voted against the increase
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