HOUSEHOLDS in Worcestershire will face an average council tax rise of just over £5 to £143.17 to fund the police in 2005/6.

However, members of the West Mercia Police Authority board accused the Government of bullying to keep the precept increase to less than five per cent.

Earlier this week the board was sent a letter, signed by Home Office minister Hazel Blears and Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford, saying the Government would not tolerate excessive council tax rises.

The letter also said that any police authority which opted for an increase of more than five per cent would face being capped.

At yesterday's authority meeting, John Cairns, who is also chairman of the South Worcestershire Community Policing Board, said it had no choice but to approve a 3.98 per cent increase, which will equate to an increase of 11p per week for a Band D property, rather than the favoured 6.6 per cent increase.

He said the Government spoke with two voices with one saying provide the public with good policing.

"The second voice is saying 'Ah well, we're not going to give you the money to do it," he said.

Another board member, Margaret Winckler, said: "We are being bullied into submission to produce a lower council tax than five per cent despite the fact that we are a high-performing authority."

Bob Forster, board chairman, said: "Pressure on the authority to provide an effective and efficient police force within these severe budgetary constraints has been considerable.

"This pressure must be seen in the context that West Mercia is not only one of the lowest-funded forces in England and Wales, but is also one of the most efficient."

The constabulary will receive just more than £143m with around £60m coming from council taxpayers. The police authority precept makes up less than 10 per cent of households' total council tax.

The Evening News reported earlier this month that the latest force figures showed that reported crime in the April to December period dropped by 13.6 per cent between 2003 and 2004.

Tax to go up by £3

HOUSEHOLDS in Worcester will be asked to pay £3 more to fund the city council.

An increase of 2.5 per cent in council tax was initially approved last night - meaning Band D homes will hand £137.52 to the Guildhall.

Council leader Coun Stephen Inman said his cabinet's latest budget was the first time the authority would be free from needing to meet a deficit in the following financial year.

"Our staff know that if our assumptions come to fruition we can begin to plan Worcester's budget for the future from a position of relative strength," he said.

"We take care of the public in Worcester by making sure council tax rises are affordable," added Coun Derek Prodger.

The whole council will debate the budget - which includes the controversial withdrawal of free council toilets - on Tuesday, March 1.