The proposal was announced by Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Graham Bright, who said the “modest rise” would protect the force’s frontline after it received £1.2million less than expected in its police grant for 2014/15.

Sir Graham said: “We already have one of the lowest cost and most productive police forces in the country with the highest percentage of officers on frontline duties.

“Despite having already made savings of £4.9m within the current year, we have managed to increase the number of police officers working on local policing from 988.5 at the start of the year to 998 at the start of this coming year.

“I’ve been listening to what the public have told me. They want to see officers out and about in their communities, keeping them safe. Protecting the frontline is a priority for me and I have always said that.”

The increase will see the policing part of the Council Tax bill for a Band D property increase to £181.57 from £177.93.

Most councils have yet to set their budgets for 2014/15 but most are likely to increase the burden on Council Tax payers as the Government continues to cut funding to local authorities.