CHIEF Constable Della Cannings fears plans to reorganise voting boundaries in North Yorkshire could knock back police funding.

North Yorkshire's most senior police officer said suggestions that Selby may be taken out of the county could reduce the police budget by up to ten per cent.

She said that reorganising command structures could bring extra costs to the force, which is already under considerable financial pressure as it struggles to meet rising pensions and the price of modernisation. The Government's Boundary Commission is reviewing all borough and district councils in North Yorkshire as part of proposals for a "mini parliament" covering Yorkshire and the Humber.

The Boundary Committee has been asked to draw up proposals for replacing North Yorkshire County Council and local district councils if voters back plans for a regional assembly in a referendum.

Ms Cannings, speaking at a Police Authority meeting, said: "We are asking: 'What will the central area look like if there are changes with the Boundary Commission?'

"There is a sign that Selby District Council will no longer be part of North Yorkshire and will be part of the East Riding. The impact that will have on the council tax bases is vital to North Yorkshire."

Police Authority clerk Jeremy Holderness said he did not want to see a reduction in the "critical mass" of North Yorkshire and the budget for its policing. Authority member Michael Heseltine said speculation on the future of the county's size and shape was difficult, and the recommendations of the commission would soon be made public.

Selby MP John Grogan said he supported the presentation to voters of two options for boundary change: a unitary North Yorkshire, and the division of the county into districts, including a York and Selby district.

He said: "Ms Cannings makes a good point in that there does not seem to be reason to disrupt the current policing of the York and Selby area, which works very well."

A programme of public consultation on the police precept for 2004/2005 was launched this week by the Police Authority. Ms Cannings said the force needs an extra £4.4million to maintain the level of service.

The Boundary Commission is due to publish its recommended voting options in December. A referendum on a regional assembly could be held in October 2004.

Updated: 08:53 Monday, November 17, 2003