POLICE will be taken off the streets unless Gwent council tax-payers are prepared to foot another increase in their bills this year.

Gwent's chief constable, Mike Tonge, fears plans to cap his budget will leave him £3.5 million short.

In a letter to South Wales East AM William Graham he says it is not fair for the public to fund a shortfall yet again on the back of last year's 16 per cent rise.

But Mr Tonge says if he is left short he will have no option but to reduce civilian staff and replace them with officers from the street.

Gwent's Police Authority is currently in negotiations with Minister for Local Government and Finance Sue Essex over the effect next year's police budgets will have on council tax levels.

Mr Tonge's letter, written in October ahead of the current talks, said: "The police forces of England and Wales will need in the region of a 6 per cent increase in funding for 2005/6 to maintain our current level of resources. "However, all the indications are that we will receive 3 per cent - Gwent Police is likely to be in the region of £3.5 million short of the amount needed for us to stand still.

"I cannot cut police officer numbers and so I will be left with no option but to look at reducing non-police staff numbers, resulting in fewer officers on the street as a consequence of doing support staff jobs."

The Home Office announced last week that Gwent will actually receive a 3.75 per cent increase in 2005/6, still well below the average 6 per cent requirement.

Mr Graham said council tax-payers are willing to foot the bill for their police force.

He said: "Such restrictions placed upon our police force will cut the services they provide and stop the great strides they have made in the fight against crime in our communities.

"Everybody wants lower council tax, but there is a price for effective policing which council tax-payers are willing to absorb."

An Assembly spokeswoman said: "Sue Essex has met chairmen of police authorities, asking them to examine their budget requirements and hold down their budget growth to reasonable levels."