Norfolk taxpayers will have to pay more to have bobbies on the beat after proposals to increase the policing element of council tax were rubber stamped.

Lorne Green, Norfolk's police and crime commissioner, had been considering freezing council tax or raising the police precept by up to 2pc, but following a five-week public consultation has decided to go for the rise.

The proposed increase of just below 2pc, which equates to an extra eight pence per week or £4.23 a year, for a household in a Band D property, was presented to the county's police and crime panel who unanimously agreed the rise at County Hall in Norwich today.

The decision followed a stark warning from Norfolk's chief constable Simon Bailey that the force, which has had to reduce the number of police officer posts by 200 and PCSO posts by 100 to meet saving requirements, was now at a level it could not go below.

Mr Green, who insisted it was vital the public had their say before he made the decision, said: 'This is not a decision I have taken lightly. It was an extremely tough call.

'I have heard the message loud and clear from the chief constable on the challenges he faces in light of mounting essential demands; however I am also very aware that it is no easy decision for taxpayers who are asked to bear an additional burden to sustain, and hopefully improve, crime prevention and fighting in our county. I have been mindful of both in coming to my decision.

'I said in the run up to the PCC election and have continued to say, that I would only consider increasing the precept if I was convinced the constabulary was driving out real and sustainable efficiencies and was exploring all options for further savings.

'I have been pushing the force hard in this area and will continue to do so.

'By April over £30m of savings will have been achieved by Norfolk Constabulary; half of which through collaboration with our Suffolk partners. That is reassuring but that work must continue.'

Mr Green added: 'I am very aware that the nature of crime is changing and the Force must adapt to meet each and every challenge. The skills and infrastructure required to investigate such serious crimes as child exploitation, sexual abuse and on-line fraud, are difficult, complex and resource intensive. This comes at a cost.

'However I have made it clear that even in tough times I want to try and improve the Force in areas such as police visibility and engagement. I also want to ensure our officers are equipped to stay ahead of the criminals to fight 21st Century crimes. To do that the Force must continue to innovate and explore all avenues. I will continue to hold the Chief Constable to account in these areas.'

The decision to increase council tax by 2pc will reduce the force's budget gap to £2.3m.

The police and crime panel, which is made up of county councillors and independent members, heard the public consultation received around 2500 responses with respondents split 76pc to 24pc in favour of a 2pc rise.

Mr Green said: 'The view of the public was unequivocal; our fellow citizens, by an overwhelming margin, indicated they were prepared to pay more for their police force. I would like to thank all those who took the time to respond and assure them that their views count and their voice is heard.'

• Meanwhile taxpayers in Suffolk will be paying an extra penny a day for their police after plans to raise the precept were approved. At a meeting of the police and crime panel at Suffolk County Council's Endeavour House yesterday, the panel unanimously supported Suffolk's police and crime commissioner, Tim Passmore, with his proposal to increase the policing precept by 1.972pc for 2017/18.

The rise will generate an income of around £830,000 to the Constabulary's budget in the next financial year.

For taxpayers, the increase to the policing element of the precept means the average council tax payment will rise from £173.43 to £176.85 per year in 2016/17, an average of just under 7p a week, based on a Band D property.