So let me get this right, 100 police officer jobs have got to go and will be replaced by 70 PCSO's and 70 other staff in an attempt to offset the losses ![blink.gif](http://4.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/blink.gif)
Up to 100 police officer jobs in County Durham are facing the axe in a bid to save the force £3m a year.
Durham Police blamed government spending restrictions and low council tax levels for the cut-backs that will take place after April this year.
It aims to shed the posts through retirements, transfers to other forces and natural wastage.
The force will also recruit an extra 70 community support officers and 70 other staff to try and offset the losses.
In a statement, the force, which has 2,600 staff, said if the savings were not made Durham Police would be in debt by 2009.
It said: "Durham is widely acknowledged as well run, offering the best pound-for-pound value of any non-metropolitan force.
"The irony is cuts are necessary to balance the books because of Government spending restrictions and prudent housekeeping over the past decade that has kept council tax levels down to the lowest level.
"Although the force is not in debt, it could find itself heavily in the red by 2009 without help from Government or clearance to raise council tax locally."
Chief Constable Jon Stoddart said no final decisions had been made and that he was hoping to meet the prime minister in the next few weeks to discuss the force's future.
He said: "The roles of all individuals affected by any changes will be the subject of further detailed discussion, risk assessment and consultation with staff associations."
Up to 100 police officer jobs in County Durham are facing the axe in a bid to save the force £3m a year.
Durham Police blamed government spending restrictions and low council tax levels for the cut-backs that will take place after April this year.
It aims to shed the posts through retirements, transfers to other forces and natural wastage.
The force will also recruit an extra 70 community support officers and 70 other staff to try and offset the losses.
In a statement, the force, which has 2,600 staff, said if the savings were not made Durham Police would be in debt by 2009.
It said: "Durham is widely acknowledged as well run, offering the best pound-for-pound value of any non-metropolitan force.
"The irony is cuts are necessary to balance the books because of Government spending restrictions and prudent housekeeping over the past decade that has kept council tax levels down to the lowest level.
"Although the force is not in debt, it could find itself heavily in the red by 2009 without help from Government or clearance to raise council tax locally."
Chief Constable Jon Stoddart said no final decisions had been made and that he was hoping to meet the prime minister in the next few weeks to discuss the force's future.
He said: "The roles of all individuals affected by any changes will be the subject of further detailed discussion, risk assessment and consultation with staff associations."