WYRE Forest residents look set to see an increase of 4.94 per cent in the police element of their council tax this coming year.

West Mercia Police Authority has set its budget for 2006/2007 at £176.766 million. That represents an increase of £7.07, or 14p a week, to the average Band D council taxpayer in the West Mercia area, taking the figure from £143.17 to £150.24 per year.

The budget will see an additional 118 additional Community Support Officers employed in communities throughout West Mercia.

A further 95 police posts are also expected to provide enhanced capability and capacity in dealing with major crime, serious and organised crime, intelligence, roads policing, civil contingencies and expanding the force's tactical firearms team.

Paul Deneen, chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, said he was confident the force would continue to maintain its high performance levels while bringing about service improvements.

He added: "West Mercia Consta-bulary is one of the lowest spenders per head of population of forces in England and Wales, while also being one of the top performers, and, year on year, has exceeded its target of two per cent efficiency savings.

"We have set a budget which we believe will continue to provide an efficient and effective police service, while also making the police more accessible.

"Although, once again, we received the minimum level of grant from the Government we have been able to limit the impact on the council taxpayer."