WEST Yorkshire police chiefs are on a collision course with the Government after raising their share of council tax by 14.9%.
Police authority members said they had no alternative if the public wanted to see more police on the streets.
But the increase - five times the inflation rate - could be capped by the Government.
So far, no minister has spelled out what level of rise is acceptable.
But it is believed that all authorities - including fire and police - face action if they come up with more than a single figure increase.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is due to make his decision next month.
The police service increase adds an extra £13 a year to average Band D council tax bills.
Police authority members said they voted reluctantly for the rise. They blamed a disappointing cash settlement by the Government.
Kirklees Lib-Dem councillor Ian Rutter, who voted for the rise, said he supported it because it would increase the number of police officers by 250 in West Yorkshire.
He added that it very disappointing the Government had penalised the authority again by taking £6m off its grant.
The rise last year was 17% and 25% in 2002.
Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn said the cash for extra staff would be ``very welcome".
There was better news from West Yorkshire's fire authority; its rise is to be kept to 7.9%. People paying Band D tax will pay £42.62 a year for fire cover.
The authority said yesterday that the Holmfirth and Skelmanthorpe fire stations will go part-time.
