More police officers for Spalding and South Holland

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More police officers could be tackling crime on the streets of Spalding and South Holland after Lincolnshire's chief contable said the budget for the coming year would allow "modest growth" for the force.

Richard Crompton said the budget increase of five percent and efficiencies elsewhere would mean a few additional officers being recruited while he would also be looking at the use of other staff to enable officers to spend more time on policing rather than in support roles.

He said: "The budget will also allow us to enhance the pool of specialist police staff who already provide front line services to the public.

"By making efficiencies in a number of other areas we hope to free-up funds to increase our resources in boosting such areas as dealing with cold case reviews and other critical areas."

Mr Crompton said that following last year's funding settlement Lincolnshire Police had already made numerous improvements in the critical area of protective services.

He said: "Despite some media reports, there was never any intention of bidding for a controversial precept increase this year.

"We are being realistic and one of our main thrusts will be to lobby with renewed energy for a fair share for Lincolnshire of the national funding pot provided by central government."

The decision to increase Lincolnshire Police budget by 4.99 percent means an increase of £8.29 a year, or 16p a week, for a Band D property.

The Police Authority chairman, Barry Young, said: " It's been something of a balancing act. On the one hand we have had to recognise the economic climate in which we are living and the burden imposed on the taxpayer. On the other we want to provide the best possible policing service for the people of Lincolnshire.

"The increase enables us to achieve this, even though the service improvements will not be as great as we would have liked.