The extra officers will be on the streets within two years

Durham's chief constable Paul Garvin wants a 25% slice if the county's council tax.

The move follows similar requests from neighbouring forces in Cleveland and Cumbria.

If approved households will be faced with an annual council tax rise of between �64 and �80.

Mr Garvin says the extra cash will get 100 extra offices on the streets within two years.

Durham Police Authority chairman Joe Knox, says the proposed hike a reasonable increase.

He said: "At the moment we charge to our customers than any other non metropolitan police authority does.

"People have told us that they want to see police visibility and more beat officers in the community.

"If people say they want this and are willing to pay for it then should try to do it."