Police forces across the north of England are to get almost �440m to help them in their fight against crime.

The government says the �437.6m will help the Northumbria, Cleveland, Durham and Cumbria forces deliver an "effective and efficient" police service.

The extra money will be awarded in the financial year 2003/2004, and sees four north forces receive increases in annual funding of between 3.4% and 5%.

In Cumbria funding is up from �55.8m to �57.7m, in Durham from �77.8m to �81.5m, in Cleveland from �80.1m to �84.1m, and in the Northumbria force area from �204.2 to �214.3m.

'Demanding posts'

Forces will receive further increases of at least four per cent in 2004/5 and 2005/6.

Home Office Minister John Denham said: "Fighting crime and the fear of crime is of paramount importance to the government.

"The funding package for the next three years will help recruit additional officers (nationally) to reach our target of 132,500 officers in 2004.

"It will also enable forces to retain officers by providing pay increases for rank-and-file officers and additional rewards for officers in the most difficult and demanding posts.

Local taxes

"It is vital that we make the best use of these record numbers, by cutting bureaucracy, exploiting modern technology and developing specialist expertise."

Around half of all police funding is provided by the Home Office in the police grant.

The remainder is provided through the local government finance system - a combination of revenue support grant, non-domestic rates and council tax.