GOVERNMENT ministers are facing demands for cash to cover the cost of more West Yorkshire police community support officers.

Their numbers are due to rise by 810 by April 2008.

Clr Andrew Marchington, a Kirklees Council Cabinet member, said: "I am extremely worried that the money to pay for them only covers 75% of the salary costs.

"It does not cover additional costs such as additional supervision of neighbourhood policing teams, extra accommodation or vehicles, which is extremely disappointing."

He said West Yorkshire was already at the bottom of the table of funding per head of population of all of the metropolitan police forces outside London.

"They are missing £14m from their budgets because of the way the Government has calculated their share of the money allocated to police forces across the country.

"It is time for the Government to properly fund West Yorkshire police so they can get more police on the beat," said Clr Marchington.