Residents in North Yorkshire will have to pay more council tax if they want to keep current levels of policing, the local force has warned.

The North Yorkshire Police Authority claims there has been an "unavoidable increase" in its expenditure since 11 September 2001.

It means people could be forced to pay more council tax to provide the money the police need to maintain existing services.

Authority vice-chairman Graeme Robertson also blamed the effects of inflation, pay increases, and pensions for their lack of cash.

Public forum

He told BBC North Yorkshire: "The precept is going to have to rise - there is no doubt about that.

"Because if it does not, the quality of policing will have to be reduced."

The authority has been making its case at a series of public meetings across the county.

But at the latest forum in Pickering, local people made it clear they already felt ignored by the local force.

Resident Mike Stevens said: "If it is a convenient area for them to spend money, they spend it.

"If it is a rural area like this - they do not."