THOUSANDS of people in the region will pay four per cent more for their police force from April.

Durham Police Authority, the parent body of Durham Police, which covers County Durham and Darlington, approved a 3.99 per cent rise in its council tax levy yesterday.

Its overall budget will rise by 2.9 per cent to £122.93m, but taxpayers face a steeper tax hike because the Government’s annual police grant will rise by only 2.5 per cent.

Last year, Durham Police Authority approved a 3.5 per cent rise.

Peter Thompson, chairman of Durham Police Authority, said it had carried out a great deal of public consultation before the decision was taken.

“They did not wish frontline services to be reduced and they were prepared to accept an increase of up to five per cent.”

Durham Police found itself at the centre of a political storm earlier this month, after the Liberal Democrats claimed the force had lost 193 officers since 2005.

Yesterday, Mr Thompson released figures showing the number of police officers had fallen by 205 since 2005, but there were 105 more police community support officers and 230 extra police staff, meaning the force’s workforce has risen by 130, to 2,670.

He insisted there was no reduction in front-line policing.

Durham County Council will set its council tax levy tomorrow.

The Labour-run council’s cabinet has recommended a 1.9 per cent rise.

Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups have called for a zero per cent rise.

Tory councillor Barbara Harrison said the council had not looked hard enough at how it could save money and Conservatives had identified almost £1m of savings.

Darlington Borough Council will set its levy tonight.

The Labour-led cabinet is proposing a zero per cent rise.

The County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority has agreed a 2.85 per cent rise for its fire and rescue service.

Some residents will also be charged for their town or parish council.

● Cleveland Police Authority will decide today whether to increase its precept by 2.94 per cent. Northumbria Police Authority has already agreed a three per cent increase and North Yorkshire Police has announced a 2.7 per cent rise