A POLICE force needs to raise its share of council tax by up to a third to avoid cutting hundreds of jobs, the Home Office has been told.

Durham Police is planning to shed 100 officer posts in the next financial year to avoid sliding £3m into debt.

Chief Constable Jon Stoddart said that if the job cuts go ahead, he cannot guarantee the force's performance will be maintained.

Yesterday, it emerged that his force told the Home Office that it would like to increase its part of the council tax precept by up to 32 per cent to avoid the cuts.

In the past, the Government has capped total council tax increases at five per cent.

A rise of 32 per cent means 60p a week for the average band D property -just over £31 a year.

Police bosses hope the Government will offer an 11th-hour reprieve by sanctioning the rise.

The force is planning three years of cuts to stop it going up to £9m into the red. Up to 300 police posts could be lost in this period. The jobs would be lost through natural waste and they would be replaced by civilian workers.

The force has always maintained that it has been penalised for sound financial management. Durham has the second lowest council tax precept in the country.

Mr Stoddart said yesterday: "A face-to-face meeting between Police Minister Tony McNulty and a delegation from Durham went ahead at the Home Office on Thursday.

"Those talks were open, frank and cordial. They were also useful and will lead to many more exchanges between ministers and senior civil servants over the next three weeks as every possible opportunity to advance our cause is explored."

The force's business plan was sent to the Home Office early last month.

It said the force's favoured choice was for the Government to allow it to increase council tax by up to 32 per cent.

A force spokesman said: "Another option is a one-time cash injection, which would be helpful in the short-term, but would not solve the underlying problem."

All discussions will end on Friday, February 23, when Durham Police Authority will set the budget for the next financial year.

Mr Stoddart has told staff: "Until then, you should rest assured I will explore every single opportunity to secure the best possible solution for both Durham Constabulary and all the people we serve."