News that police authority members, as well as councillors, are to be provided with home computers has provoked fury among tax payers.

At the latest Durham Police Authority meeting, members agreed that they should each be provided with a laptop computer, combined fax, printer and scanner; and related equipment, software, furniture and training.

The decision follows that by Durham County Council to provide all 61 of its members with similar facilities, at a cost of more than £174,000.

As nine members of the police authority are also county councillors, the authority will contribute half the cost - £14,121, towards their computers.

It will meet the full £25,104 cost of supplying the rest, as well as paying £21,500 in annual running costs.

News of the computers comes despite a 14.8 per cent increase in the county council's tax bill, of which the police authority receives a share, which provoked outrage when it was announced earlier this year.

Robert West, founder of the Durham Council Tax Alliance, said he was disgusted by it.

"It's disgraceful," he said.

"They just seem to me to be looking after themselves, but it's all coming out of tax payers' money.

"It just seems to be adding insult to injury.

"It's another example of the normal punter having to subsidise councillors, and them getting everything for themselves but giving nothing back."

The Durham Council Tax Alliance plans to challenge the council's leader, Ken Manton, on the increased charge at a forthcoming meeting.

A report by Lesley Davies, the police authority's legal adviser and clerk, and its treasurer, Stuart Crowe, highlights the Government's drive to introduce more technology, the need to equip members to do their job better, and the need improve accessibility and communications.

It says a recent visit to West Yorkshire Police Authority, whose members have home computers, showed how valuable they were.

The report states: "There are some facilities, such as workstations/chairs and fax/printer/scanners, which will not be taken up by all members.

"It is anticipated, therefore, that the costs will be less than those quoted."