He said his priority had been to maintain a "local visible policing element" despite the budget cuts.

BBC: Hampshire & Isle of Wight

The conversation turned political as Bernanke attempted to debunk the notion that the Fed is influencing the political debate on the budget, which is a key element of the coming Presidential election and debates.

FORBES: Bernanke: I'm Not Using QE3 To Influence The 'Political Debate' And The Election

Gloucestershire's crime commissioner wants to increase the policing element of council tax by 2% in his first budget.

BBC: PCC proposes 2% policing tax increase for Gloucestershire