Average households in Bradford will pay more than £130 a year for policing after police chiefs approved a hike in the cash they receive from taxpayers.

At a meeting today, West Yorkshire Police Authority set a budget of £438.6 million for 2010/11 – an increase of 3.2 per cent on the previous year’s budget.

It means residents will see a 2.5 per cent increase on the police element of the Council Tax, which raises 20 per cent of the total budget locally.

Band D households will pay an extra 6p a week for policing, bringing the cost up to £130.50 a year.

Bands A and B, which make up 64 per cent of all households within the County, will pay £87 (4p extra) and £101.50 (5p extra) respectively.

The budget means there will be recruitment of new officers, investment in Neighbourhood Policing and the strengthening of services.

For the first time, West Yorkshire Police Authority used an e-mailed survey to find out from the public how they felt about the cost of police and if they get value for money The members used the feedback to assist them in agreeing the budget.

Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Authority, said: “The Authority recognises the challenges of the current economic climate and has set a budget which keeps the costs of policing to a minimum for taxpayers, but also ensures that the Chief Constable and Force has the resources to deliver efficient and effective policing.

“To ensure that costs remain low, over the next year the Authority is looking to make savings of around £10 million. This is through workforce modernisation, reductions in the Force’s running costs, and cutting back on using external consultancy on projects.

“However, we are already looking with the Force at where savings and efficiencies can be made in future years which we already know will be even more challenging.”