A TAX increase of at least 34p a week is needed if levels of police service are to be maintained, North Yorkshire Police chief constable Della Cannings told Ryedale residents at a public meeting in Malton last weekend.

Following last year's 76pc rise, she said police station opening times had been extended and the force had recruited more officers than ever before.

At the meeting, at The Talbot Hotel, in Yorkersgate, she was also able to announce that arrests were up by 21pc, or 1,147, since September, when the force's improved-performance campaign Operation Delivery was launched.

But she warned that without further investment, these would be cut back.

"If we don't get the minimum 34p increase, then we will have to go to public consultation about which of the new facilities we get rid of."

This 11pc rise was presented as a minimum figure, with other suggestions as high as a 60p increase also on the negotiating table.

Audience members raised concerns about pensioners on fixed rate interest incomes being faced with council tax increases to fund the police.

"You are alienating those who support you the most," said Tony Hemesley, of Old Malton.

"People are beginning to lose all confidence - old people whose incomes rise at the rate of interest - 2pc - are having to leave their homes that's the real problem, not the crime issue."

Another self-employed resident said: "I run a small business - if I increased my prices this dramatically in a year my customers would laugh in my face."

Ms Cannings said there had been extra pressures put on her force due to the war on terror.

She also said that she had resisted pressure on her to take officers away from rural areas and into the city, since 47pc of crime in the area is committed in the city of York.

One audience member asked: "If so much crime happens in the city of York, can't York residents contribute more?"

Ms Cannings replied that she had spoken to Home Secretary David Blunkett recently about the particular problems faced by her force, and had raised that very point with him, but there is no mechanism through which this can be done.

She concluded: "What price would you put on your safety? We pay house and car insurance in the hope that we will never have to use it.

"With the money invested in the police force, you are not only insuring yourself against crime but the money is being invested in ongoing work to fight crime and improve community safety. We are close to being one of the best rural forces in the country but we want to be the best."

Updated: 11:23 Wednesday, December 17, 2003