The recent meeting follows a letter the authority received from the Communities and Local Government (CLG) informing a process had started which could lead to the authority being capped - an action taken against eight authorities across the country that exceeded a five per cent increase.

The authority increased the 2008/09 precept by 15.43 per cent in order to address growing national threats, the lack of resilience in protecting some of the most vulnerable and in order to safeguard visible neighbourhood policing.

The precept increase amounts to an additional 41p on the weekly contribution towards policing of an average Band D household.

Police authority chairman Byron Rhodes, vice chairman Barrie Roper and Chief Constable Matt Baggott attended the Communities and Local Government offices in London to state their case direct to the ministers who make the decision. Five of the area's MPs also managed to attend the meeting - Stephen Dorrell, Edward Garnier, Sir Peter Soulsby, David Taylor and Keith Vaz.

Mr Rhodes said: "I'm satisfied we were given the opportunity to put our argument for the increase across to the ministers and can confirm we held a constructive meeting. I believe we have strong evidence that supports our decision that the force needs this funding in order to meet the standards that the public deserve.

"I am particularly grateful to the local MPs, who were able to attend the meeting with us, for their invaluable support at this time."