The Dyfed-Powys Police element of council tax is to rise by 4.46%, it was decided on Monday.

Chief Constable Ian Arundale said the force is determined to maintain the numbers of officers on the street, while Delyth Humfryes, chairman of the Dyfed-Powys Police Authority, added that she was pleased the rise was kept below 4.5%.

Police authority members unanimously approved the 2010/2011 budget, including the council tax increase of 4.46% for a Band D property.

This amounts to £181.44 per household per year compared to £173.70 in 2009/2010. This is the equivalent of 2p a day per household in the force area.

The force said the increase has been minimised by the £1.4million of efficiency savings made so far by Dyfed-Powys Police.

Mrs Humfryes said: “I am pleased that all authority members agreed the budget along with the council tax increase of 4.46%.

“I know that a lot of work has gone into keeping the increase below 4.5%, while still maintaining improvements to frontline services.

“Maintaining low levels of council tax is extremely challenging at this time as the money received each year from grants and central Government is ever diminishing. I am pleased we have managed to keep the increase to a minimum while maintaining police service standards.”

Mr Arundale said: “We recognise that we provide a vital service for our residents and it is important that people feel safe as well as actually being safe.

“This increase in council tax will allow the force to ensure that we have the right people in the right place at the right time.”

Information about the work of the police authority can be seen at www.dyfed powyspoliceauthority.co.

uk.