COUNTY Durham householders will have to pay an extra £10 a year at least for their policing.

Durham Police Authority is levying a 23.5 per cent increase in its share of the council tax bill, taking the cost for a Band A property from almost £43 to just over £53.

The Band D bill will increase by more than £15 from £64.44 to £79.56.

The force says the extra money will help put 100 police officers back on the beat over the next two years. Their work in communications and custody suites will be taken over by civilian specialists.

The force's budget for the 2003-2004 financial year will rise from just over £89m to £95.7m.

Police authority chairman Councillor Joe Knox said: "Two-thirds of our budget is taken up by wages for police and civilian staff, and without these increases, we would have to make cuts in services.

"Durham Constabulary has been publicly acknowledged as one of the best-run and most effective police forces in the country.

"Our charges remain the lowest in the country and I believe it is a price that the vast majority of people would be prepared to pay, knowing we are continually striving for improvement.''

As well as the charge for policing, council tax bills include elements for county, district and parish council spending. Durham County Council has agreed a 9.17 per cent increase in its share of the bill.

The new police charges are: Band A £53.04; B £61.88; C £70.72; D £79.56; E £97.24; F £114.92; G £132.60; H £159.12.