The part of Cumbria's council tax bill that pays for policing will rise by more than five per cent - with the promise there will be more officers.

The county's crime commissioner is to fund 25 extra bobbies who will go out-and-about on the streets following the cash hike.

This decision was taken by Peter McCall after he was backed by a panel overseeing his work, Cumbria's chief constable Jerry Graham - and the results of consultation with the public.

The commissioner had recommended this rise - £11.97 annually for a Band D property - after being given more powers to raise cash.

There was a warning that frontline police numbers faced the cut if the rise got the knock-back.

The annual bill for policing for a Band D property now stands at £232.

Mr McCall said: "This will allow us to increase officer numbers. I don't pretend for a second that will completely solve our problems.

"But it is a move in the right direction to put more officers into frontline neighbourhood policing. It also means that we can protect and maintain our 95 community support officers (PCSOs)."

He stressed there would be an increase in the number of armed officers.

The cash would help pay for improved protection from child abuse, especially online grooming - and more moves to tackle digital crime. The force will also be looking at improvements to ways people can contact it.

Mr McCall said he appreciated the extra burden, but added: "If we are to maintain public safety we have to maintain our police budget."

Mr Graham said: "This helps us protect and enhance frontline policing to keep people safe."