The government has announced a 3.25 per cent increase in police funding for 2004/05.

Special grants include £277 million towards the training and recruitment of Crime Fighting Fund officers, £50 million towards the running of Basic Command Units and £24 million towards the Street Crime Initiative.

In addition, the Metropolitan Police Service will receive funds for extra commitments such as counter-terrorism and security measures, while £9 million has been allocated towards implementing the new pay agreement across the country.

"Funding the police service properly remains a top priority for the government and the settlement for 2004/05 builds on our substantial investment and policing over the last three years," said Home Office minister Hazel Blears.

"This year's increase is above inflation and brings the total government supported provision for policing in 2004/05 in England and Wales up to £10.1billion, an overall increase of 4.2 per cent.

"Much has been achieved by the police service since we embarked on the path of reform more than two years ago, but we still have a long way to go in providing local communities with the policing that they wish to see.

"I believe that by increasing the grant received by all police authorities by 3.25 per cent, all areas will benefit, and the police forces across the country will be able to achieve, as the public rightly expects, ever higher standards of policing and performance, making a real difference in cutting crime."