ALMOST four-fifths of all North Yorkshire Police vehicles are damaged in the line of duty every year, according to Government figures released today.

New statistics revealed today show that the force has a fleet of 514 vehicles and that 397 instances of damage were reported between April 2002 and the end of March 2003 - but most had nothing to do with road accidents.

While the number of road accidents involving police vehicles stood at 152 in that period, the total is expected to fall this year as only 132 have so far been recorded. Total damage reports stand at 380.

Les Coverdale, of North Yorkshire Police Federation, said the figures did not give him "undue concern" for the safety of his members or the public.

He said damage reports could include everything from a chipped windscreen and petty vandalism to serious accidents. He said vehicles had to be kept in "pristine" condition because of the nature of their work.

Meanwhile, across England and Wales the number of damage reports rose 11 per cent last year, up to 18,644 from 16,826. The Association of Chief Police Officers has expressed alarm that 20 members of the public and two officers were killed in accidents involving police vehicles. None of these incidents was in North Yorkshire.

The national police body is now working with the Police Complaints Authority to look at ways of reducing the number of crashes.

Measures could include fitting more vehicles with aeroplane-style black box recorders that gather information on speed, braking and the use of blue lights. A new driver-training course will also create a universal standard for the first time.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said many accidents were down to circumstances that were beyond the control of the police. He said emergencies such as the A19 digger chase last March, in which three police cars were left seriously damaged, were extraordinary events.

Mr Coverdale said in the financial year 2001/02, 323 damage reports were made and 117 road collisions recorded involving police cars.

This rose to 397 incidences of damage in 2002/03 and 152 road accidents.

Updated: 10:38 Friday, February 27, 2004