New funding will put more officers on the streets

The county's police authority met in Wakefield to sign off a three-year plan for "steady growth in front line policing" agreed last month.

But the Police Federation, the police officers' union, says the staffing increase does not go far enough.

After retirements and departures, there will be around 250 extra police available in 12 months time.

Gap closing

Police Federation spokesman Tom McGee said: "Funding for police forces is a really strange beast, it's a combination of government money and council money.

"The way it's worked out for us in West Yorkshire, we seem to be at a disadvantage to other forces."

West Yorkshire Police Authority chairman Mark Burns-Williamson said: "The money we raise through council tax is the sixth lowest in England and Wales.

"Consequently, police strength is below the average, with just over two officers for every 1,000 people living in the county.

"The decision (to raise the budget) continues our drive to close the performance gap resulting from those funding issues.

" We asked people what they want from their police service.

'Very welcome'

"They want to see more officers on the streets, better call-handling and police response times and issues such as anti-social behaviour tackled alongside priority crime such as burglary, car crime, robbery and drugs."

Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn said the funding for extra staff was "very welcome" and would help the force build on the improvements made in policing performance during the last 12 months.

"West Yorkshire�s performance is regularly measured against forces with more money and, consequently, more officers," he said.

"As a result of last year's settlement West Yorkshire has begun to close that gap.