POLICE rank-and-file leaders in North Yorkshire have joined a chorus of concern over controversial new moves to reform the service.

Home Office chiefs have published a raft of potential changes aimed at creating a more efficient, effective and visible police service across the 43 forces of England and Wales.

They include proposals to increase the number of community support officers (CSOs), make mobile phone numbers of local beat officers known, and introduce direct entry to all ranks

But members of the Police Federation, the police "union", have hit out nationally at the proposals, which they believe are eroding the role of the police officer and confusing the public.

In North Yorkshire, Mark Botham, Police Federation chairman, said political leaders are "trying to get the best of both worlds" by offering an expanded police service at less cost to the taxpayer.

He said: "Some of the stuff that is in the document papers is very good, but some other things are absolutely horrific. We feel they are just selling ideas. There is very little flesh on the bones."

Federation leaders are unhappy that new recruits could enter at senior ranks because, they argue, that these individuals will not have all the skills which are learned by officers as they are promoted through the force. They also warn that giving out mobile phone numbers of officers is "policing on the cheap" and that the role of the CSO is "confusing" and could put them in danger.

Mr Botham said: "We would like to see this CSO cash spent directly on police constables. They (CSOs) do have a role, but we have concerns over how they have been deployed within North Yorkshire and nationally.

"Their job is to be visible and to provide reassurance, but we don't want them putting themselves at risk. For example, when does antisocial behaviour become public disorder?"

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the new CSOs will be recruited in "the near future" and it is not yet known where they will be deployed.

He said CSOs have already proved their worth in supporting their police officer colleagues and by providing a visible reassurance to communities across the county.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said that she remained committed to maintaining the "record" police numbers in place, while increasing the number of CSOs nationwide to 24,000 by 2008.

She said the Police Reform White Paper places highly visible, accessible and accountable neighbourhood policing at the heart of the Government's programme to modernise the police and improve standards of service to the public.

Updated: 08:48 Friday, November 26, 2004