MEMBERS of the police authority came under fire last night after it was revealed that extra PC's are to be introduced in County Durham.

However, the PC's in question are not crime-busting Police Constables but thousands of pounds worth of personal computers and associated gadgets.

At the latest Durham Police Authority meeting, members agreed they should each be provided with a laptop computer, combined fax, printer and scanner; and related equipment, software, furniture and training.

The decision follows one by Durham County Council to provide all 61 of its councillors with similar home computer facilities - at a cost of £174,000.

However, as nine members of the county council are also on the police authority, it has been revealed that they will still only receive one computer - with the authority contributing to half the cost, £14,121.

Durham Police Authority, which is funded via council tax payers and the Home Office, will meet the full cost for the remaining eight members at a cost of £25,104 plus annual running costs of £21,500.

News of computers comes despite a 14.8 per cent increase in the county's council tax bill, of which the police authority receives a share.

Robert West, founder of the Durham Council Tax Alliance, said: "It's disgraceful. They just seem to me to be looking after themselves, but it's all coming out of tax payers' money.

The Durham Council Tax Alliance plans to challenge the council's leader, Ken Manton, on the increased charge at a forthcoming meeting.

A report by Lesley Davies, the police authority's legal adviser and clerk, and treasurer, Stuart Crowe, highlights the Government's drive to introduce more technology, the need to equip members to do their job better, and the need improve accessibility and communications.

It says a recent visit to West Yorkshire Police Authority, whose members have home computers, showed how valuable they were.