CUMBRIA Police Authority met 14 February and agreed a total Budget of £94.029m in 2007-08 - representing an increase of £3.6m (4.1%) over 2006-07.

This will require a Band 'D' Council tax of £171.09 - an increase of £8.01 (4.91%) over the current year. For a typical band 'B' property in Cumbria, the increase for 2007-08 represents a rise of 12p per week - similar to this year's increase.

Reg Watson, Chairman of Cumbria Police Authority, said: "This budget has been very carefully and skilfully-balanced so that it meets the Government's objective for the lowest-possible tax increase whilst at the same time enabling the Police Authority to sustain the investment it has already made in Local Policing resources over the past four years."

Councillor Watson said: "This budget continues the long-term strategy and steady focus of the Police Authority and the Chief Constable towards investing in boosting public reassurance and reducing crime in Cumbria."

We are committed to three very clear objectives: 1. maintaining a good standard of Neighbourhood Policing through our Local Policing Team approach.

2. investing in, and improving, Protective Services.

3. ensuring that our support infrastructure is not just affordable but also effective.

"We now have a four year programme in place, which has been endorsed by the Police Authority, to deliver these objectives. I am pleased that the Police Authority have agreed a budget, and an ambitious capital programme, that will help to achieve our three principal objectives and I am confident that the Constabulary working closely with its key partners can make Cumbria even safer."

Cumbria Police Authority is made up of local people - a mixture of councillors, magistrates and independent members - and acts as the bridge between Cumbria Constabulary and all communities across the county in policing matters.