A chief constable has defended his force's decision to ask for a major increase in the amount council taxpayers contribute for their local police.

Steve Pilkington, of Avon and Somerset Police, will ask the Police Authority for a 34% increase in funding for the forthcoming tax year.

This will mean an extra 50p per week for a Band D household in the region.

Mr Pilkington says the increase - which would be invested in a raft of measures - is the result of cuts in government grants to local police forces.

New officers

"We would spend the money on several proposals, including an investment in local policing," he said.

"Everyone wants more of our service, and we want to provide more.

"The resources available to us do not enable us to provide an adequate policing service at the moment," he added.

The police authority is also being asked to approve plans to take on nearly 200 new officers over the coming year.

Avon and Somerset Police want to recruit an extra 196 officers and 164 support staff, as well as buying new specialist equipment.