Minister pledges police funding help.

Thursday, 3pm - The Police Minister, Tony McNulty, has made a personal pledge to help solve the financial problems that led to a standstill budget for Lincolnshire Police.

Chairman of the Police Authority Angela Crowe, who with Chief Constable Richard Crompton led a delegation to meet the Minister, described the meeting in London last week as "very productive".

"The Minister told us he wanted to engage and work with us.

"He offered us the facility to meet with other people at the Home Office who would be able to offer real assistance," added Mrs. Crowe.

"This was not just a gesture. We are now making arrangements and fixing appointments.

"Mr.McNulty realises that the tripartite agreement for policing involves the Home Office, The Police Authority and the Chief Constable and that we must all bear responsibility.

"He wants to meet us again in October, and we hope he will come to Lincoln."

Last month the police authority had its 79 per cent council tax demand capped to 26 per cent.

This means they are having to pay for revised bills to be sent to every home in the country.

The authority said it had wanted the vast increase because the force has the country's lowest level of funding per head of population.