NORTH Yorkshire's chief constable Della Cannings has hit back at critics of her decision to spend an estimated £500,000 on luxury cars for her senior officers, as reported in yesterday's Evening Press.

She said the vehicles were essential for a modern force in a rural county with 6,000 miles of roads. She said the vehicles - known as command platforms because they contain police radio systems, satellite navigation and police lights - were a key tool for major incidents such as the Great Heck rail crash, flooding and Royal Ascot.

She said: "It's absolutely right that superintendent ranks have the appropriate vehicles to carry out their duties effectively and provide extra proactive work across North Yorkshire and in the city of York.

"They clearly need to be able to respond to those critical incidents we have seen and other reports of incidents where those first few hours are absolutely critical.

"Since I joined the force two years ago, I have insisted they have that 24-hour cover across the force at that level."

The chief constable used the meeting to respond to claims that the vehicles were not value for money.

The force has invested in 20 cars for officers of superintendent rank and above.

The diesel vehicles are either Land Rover Discoverys or Volvo V70 estates.

Chief Superintendent David Short, who is responsible for the force's Eastern Area, said: "If I were to be expected to use my own vehicle it would be wasting valuable time getting to a police station to pick one up.

"It is as critical to me as my baton, my radio and my handcuffs.

"It's an absolutely essential piece of equipment for our use."

Updated: 10:11 Tuesday, March 08, 2005