Sussex residents could be forking out another £16 a year for policing - a rise five times the inflation rate.

This year's increase was a huge £100 for the average council tax payers and police watchdogs were hoping to avoid a significant rise for next year.

But the Government switched grants to metropolitan areas in the north, leaving southern shires financially wanting.

The Sussex Police Authority on Thursday will discuss three options to fill the gap: A 16p (8.35 per cent) per week increase to maintain current services, a 19p increase to allow some service development and 32p per week (17 per cent or £16.64 per year) increase to enable the recruitment of extra police officers and police community support officers.

Mark Dunn, authority chairman, said: "It is very disappointing to have to consider asking taxpayers to fund the increase in costs."

Tuesday December 16, 2003