MORE than 50 extra police officers will be on the streets of Bolton next year after police spending plans were approved.

A total of 567 new officers will be recruited over the next 12 months in the Greater Manchester area.

Based on population figures, it is estimated that between 50 and 60 police officers will be based in the Bolton area.

The Greater Manchester Police Authority approved a budget of £476.70 million starting in April at its meeting yesterday.

However, the extra police officers will come at a price.

In passing the budget, the authority agreed a precept of £69 million, which will result in a 33 per cent increase in Greater Manchester Police's portion of council tax. Bolton council tax payers will have to pay an extra 6.2 per cent, which amounts to around £23 extra a year for a Band D property, or 45p per week.

However, with the proposed Fire Authority increase of 23 per cent, council taxpayers could see their bills rise up to 8.5 per cent if approved at the Council's budget meeting on February 26.

The Chief Constable Mike Todd praised the Police Authority and local councils for taking the difficult decision to accept the big increase in the precept.

He said: "I realise how difficult this budget has been politically. The 33 per cent increase is a tremendous rise in one go, and I recognise how difficult it was for local council leaders to deliver.

"I am grateful for the work that everyone involved has put in."

Police Authority Chairman Cllr Stephen Murphy added: "No one else could find another way of putting this budget together. What was put on the table at the meeting was an honest way forward for the police service."

Bolton's representative on the police authority Councillor Frank White said: "The busiest police force in the country -- Greater Manchester Police -- has one of the lowest rate precepts in the country.

"Council tax payers will be able to see directly where the extra money is going by the increased police presence on the streets."