Taxpayers across Sussex will have to shell out more money to put extra police officers on the beat.

Police watchdogs yesterday approved a 21p per week tax increase which will provide 50 extra officers and a range of improved services.

The 18 per cent rise was rubber-stamped after a heated debate among members at a Sussex Police Authority meeting in Chichester.

Leading Labour and Tory politicians joined forces to fight for a lower increase but were voted down 12-3.

The authority heard less government grant money meant it had to turn to taxpayers to fund better services.

Chief Constable Ken Jones conceded 50 extra officers would not make a huge difference but the package of improvements, including more DNA testing and initiatives to fight drug dealers moving south from London, would ultimately show real benefits in force performance.

Ken Bodfish, Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, doubted the chief.

Each of his predecessors, he said, had demanded more money but there had been no improvements.

He said: "I don't think the chief could put his hand on his heart and say there will be fewer burnt-out cars or burglaries in my street. He knows it is not true."

Mr Bodfish said more money did not necessarily mean improved service.

He said: "We need a radical new way. The police are not delivering what the public wants."

He supported Conservative councillor Geoffrey Theobald, who proposed a 15 per cent increase.

Mr Theobald said every public service, including fire brigades and social services, was demanding more money and taxpayers in Brighton and Hove were already facing "a whacking great rise" in council tax.

Coun Theobald's motion was seconded by Peter Jones, Conservative leader of East Sussex County Council.

East Sussex taxpayers, he said, were already paying the highest council levies in the South-East and yet the county was the poorest in the region.

Councillor Jones said an 18 per cent rise for policing was "substantial".

But James Walsh, Lib Dem leader on West Sussex County Council, said the public had great expectations for improvements in policing.

He said the extra 21p for a Band D taxpayer amounted to £11 a year and was not a heavy burden.