CHIEF Constable Paul Stephenson has spoken of his disappointment after plans for 500 extra officers were thwarted by the government.

But the county's top cop has still vowed to bring in the extra numbers over five years after his bid to bring them in immediately was blocked.

His proposals needed a 25 per cent increase in the police portion of residents' council tax bills, to be implemented over three years.

But, after last-minute pressure in the form of phone calls from government ministers and a threat to cap a large council tax rise, Lancashire Police Authority has increased the council tax bill by 14.99 per cent.

That equates to a rise of 25p per week, taking Band D households' bills for police services to £100.70 a year. That means Mr Stephenson's plans may take five years to be implemented, with 100 extra officers hitting the streets over the next 12 months.

The Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, will get 20 of these officers -- nine for the response unit to focus on anti-social behaviour at night, and 11 for ten community beat managers and a sergeant overseeing their work.

Some 19 officers will be sent to the Pennine Division, covering Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. Mr Stephenson said these would all be in the response unit to tackle anti-social behaviour, although they may be part-time at the busiest periods.

Police authority members at the meeting at County Hall, Preston, yesterday also expressed their disappointment and frustration at "their hands being tied by the government".

They said they had consulted 4,000 residents and had found that 64 per cent were in favour of a 25 per cent rise, but the government had strongly warned not to set such a large rise.

After checking with other police authorities, the members found none were setting rises over 15 per cent so they wanted to keep Lancashire's at that level to avoid capping.

Other members also spoke of their frustration that the government had failed to take into account that council tax bills in Lancashire for police services were the second-lowest in the country for shire authorities.

Mr Stephenson said: "The position we now find ourselves in is disappointing. Because of external concerns we cannot make the improvements we need."

However, he said the 100 extra officers would make a real difference. "The public in Lancashire continually tell us that they want to see more and more police officers, and I am glad we were able to respond positively to this demand."