PENSIONERS will be hit hardest by council tax rises to fund the extra £3.9 million needed to sustain and improve North Yorkshire Police services, Ryedale residents have warned Chief Constable Della Cannings.

At a public meeting at The Talbot Hotel, in Yorkersgate, Malton, on Saturday, Ms Cannings said that without extra funding, there was a danger that services may have to be slashed.

She explained that the extra cash could be raised by a 60p rise on the council tax bill per week, based on an average band D household.

An increase of 34p would mean the force could maintain status quo, while no extra cash could mean cutbacks.

"We are close to being one of the best rural forces in the country, but we want to be the best," said Ms Cannings, who has been in the job for 14 months.

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

"Generally, when there are constraints in funding, it means that the service part of our work drops off.

"I think that's tragic, when we lose the softer parts of the job which are about engaging with communities."

Of the 40 people who attended the meeting, a dozen made objections about the proposed council tax increase. Several raised concerns about how pensioners on fixed incomes would be hit hardest in raising the extra funding.

Tony Hemesley, from Old Malton, said: "You are alienating those who support you the most. People are beginning to lose all confidence - old people whose incomes rise at the rate of interest, two per cent, are having to leave their homes.

"That's the real problem, not the crime issue."

A self-employed businessman, who did not give his name, said if he increased the price of his services so dramatically, his customers would find it ludicrous.

But Ms Cannings said that the force had produced significant results, such as Operation Delivery, an ongoing crackdown on criminals, which since the start of September had led to an increase in arrests of 21 per cent, or 1,147.

The Chief Constable is due to outline her plans at a meeting at the Novotel in Fishergate, York, at 7pm tomorrow.

Updated: 11:09 Monday, December 15, 2003