RESIDENTS have voted against a reduction in council tax set to fund local police.

According to the Avon and Somerset Police Authority in a recent poll people living in the forces’ area said they wanted improved services even if that meant paying more tax.

Results show that 82 percent of respondents of the Ipsos Mori survey would prefer the Police Authority to set a level of council tax, which would maintain or improve policing services.

Only 6 percent of residents favoured Avon and Somerset Police Authority setting an increase as low as possible by making cuts to services.

Avon and Somerset Police Authority is an independent body of local people who oversee the work of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

The Police Authority sets the annual police budget, the policing element of the local council tax and ensures the Constabulary achieves best value for money spent.

Dr Moira Hamlin, chairman of Avon and Somerset Police Authority, said: "The Police Authority understands that we must set a budget that balances the needs of the community to maintain frontline policing while keeping costs to a minimum, as many households are feeling the pressures of the economic recession.

"When we set the policing part of the council tax next month, we will take account of the views from residents and set a budget that ensures the Constabulary can run as efficiently and effectively as possible without charging unaffordable increases in tax."