More than 200 extra bobbies could hit the county's streets - but Council Tax payers face a £20 annual increase to fund the move.

Police Authority members drawing up next year's budget are examining ways to bolster West Yorkshire's officer numbers, which currently lag well behind other urban areas.

Melvyn Smith, West Yorkshire Police Authority Chairman, said: "We have the fewest police officers per head of population of any Metropolitan Force, with an average of 425 people per police officer, compared with the Metropolitan average of 363."

He said that a £20 rise on Band D Council Tax bills would provide more than 200 extra officers as well as allowing for improvements to communications systems, forensics and other police equipment.

Police chiefs also hope to recruit an extra 200 Community Support Officers across the county although this would be funded by Home Office cash rather than rising police precepts.

Mr Smith said the £20 rise - which had yet to be decided - would be in line with national increases and represent "good value for money".

"We have to look to meeting the needs of the people of West Yorkshire and providing the policing service they want and deserve," he added.

And he said: "Even after this increase, the amount householders will pay in Council Tax for policing per day will be less than the price of a first class stamp. Funding is key to the longer-term success of policing the county."

The authority has already learned it will receive a 4.9 per cent increase in Government funding for next year's budget, which runs from April 2003 to March 2004. Figures published in September last year showed there were 4,889 officers on duty within the county compared to 5,154 in 1997.

The Police Authority will meet to agree the budget on February 21.