Chief Constable Della Cannings will face the public over the increasing cost of running North Yorkshire Police at a series of meetings across the county.

The county's most senior police officer is spearheading a drive for more cash to fund reform and improved performance.

But she faces considerable resistance from a critical public, many of whom are still smarting from last year's 76 per cent rise in the police precept - the biggest increase in England and Wales.

Ms Cannings will attend public meetings in York, Malton, Selby, Harrogate and Northallerton, organised by North Yorkshire Police Authority, where she will explain how the extra cash has been spent.

She will also outline several funding formulas that could be undertaken next year. Figures unveiled last month revealed three options for increases of between ten and 20 per cent.

The highest of these settlements would come at a cost of 60p per week for an average band D household, bringing the precept from £156 to £187.20.

However, a new set of figures are expected to be unveiled at the first meeting, in Harrogate this Friday, which take into account the recent Government settlement and other grants and subsidies.

Councillor Irene Waudby, a City of York Council representative on the Police Authority, said last year's decision was "difficult to make" but necessary for "urgently needed investments".

But she said the Authority came under fire by residents who said the final decision did not reflect their views and that they were not consulted.

She said: "We can't emphasise enough how important it is for the Police Authority to hear the public's views, so that we can take them into account when finally deciding on council tax levels.

"By attending these events or taking part in other consultation activity, residents can really influence our decision."

Residents are invited to fill in a questionnaire on the precept. It is available on the Authority web site at www.nypa.org.uk or by post. Write to NYPA, PO Box 106, Ripon, HG4 5WA for a form.

Volunteers who can spare two hours of their time are also needed for a series of focus group meetings that will be held in January. Interested parties can register on the web site.

Meeting points:

The Chief Constable will attend the following two-hour public meetings:

The Cairn Hotel, Harrogate, Friday, from 10am

Hambleton Forum, Bullamoor Road, Northallerton, Friday, from 6.30pm.

Talbot Hotel, Yorkersgate, Malton, on Saturday, from 10am

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Westborough, Scarborough, on Saturday, from 2pm

Novotel, Fishergate, York, on Tuesday, from 7pm.

There will also be a meeting in Selby town centre at a date that has not yet been fixed.

Updated: 08:40 Wednesday, December 10, 2003