Wiltshire Police's plans for 2003/04 would lead to an increase at council tax band D of less than 40p per week, the authority says.

Its plans for the year include recruiting 37 new police officers as well as increasing the time officers spend on front-line patrols.

The forces also wants support officers to be introduced, to work as back-up for police officers.

The increased use of technology would release police officers from paper work, allowing them to be on patrol for longer, a statement said.

This budget will make more officers available for front-line duties Bertie Woolnough

"More investment in the force's call-handling to the public will help to ensure that all calls for assistance receive an appropriate response," it said.

"There will be increased investment in forensic expertise and analytical capability, in order to raise detection rates still further and bring more criminals to justice.

"Delivering all these investments in Wiltshire's police will be based on a budget that limits the increase in council tax at band D to under 40p per week."

Police authority chairman, Bertie Woolnough, said: "The police authority is committed to keeping Wiltshire safe through continuous improvement of policing.

"This budget will make more officers available for front-line duties, both for tackling crime and also to provide increased reassurance and visibility in the community."