NORTH Yorkshire Police Authority is facing very difficult decisions about police expenditure next year and we want to hear the views of local people on the issues raised.

In 2002-03 £96 million will be spent on providing a police force for this county. Due to normal inflationary factors and other unavoidable spending pressures, this could rise by about £6.5m in 2003/04.

In addition, the Chief Constable and the authority will be required to implement elements of the Government's police and criminal justice system reform programme, designed to make significant improvements in the way services are delivered.

We estimate that this could cost an extra £5 million.

Unfortunately, this area will not receive any extra money next year from the Government, over and above inflation, to help us out - the view is being taken nationally that the extra resources for policing announced in the budget should be directed to those areas of the country with high crime levels.

People constantly tell us that they want to see more of the police service. But the authority will not be able to meet the police's expenditure needs next year without either cutting services or once again raising council tax levels substantially. It's a difficult choice but it's one we must face.

We want to tell your readers about these choices and to get views on what the authority should do.

We are to hold a public meeting at the Novotel, York, on January 22 at 7.30pm. We and senior officers from the force will explain all the issues and answer questions.

Facts and figures will also be available on our website www.nypa.org.uk or on request from our offices, 01765 641839.

Graeme Robertson JP,

Nick Blitz,

Mick Brighton,

York members of North Yorkshire Police Authority, Ripon.

Updated: 13:05 Saturday, January 11, 2003