TRAFFIC police in Chester and Ellesmere Port are being stretched to the limit following a drastic cutback in their numbers.

The number of traffic officers on the streets has almost halved from 27 to 15 during the past two years and the number of unmarked car officers has fallen from 21 to 10.

As a result officers admit they can no longer dedicate enough time to catching persistent mobile phone users, launch speed traps, carry out roadside vehicle checks, conduct drink-drive campaigns and catch drug dealers in undercover operations.

Many traffic officers working for the Cheshire Constabulary are also finding themselves working over their shifts when a serious road traffic accident occurs and are often told to prioritise which accidents deserve their utmost attention.

The effects of the cuts come as the Constabulary carries out a structural review of its operations, called Taking Control. The results are due next April.

In the meantime, the Chester & Ellesmere Port traffic unit is urging the force to increase its numbers.

Although the Constabulary can call on panda patrols and officers in other areas if a serious incident happens, traffic cops say they are being stretched day by day.

Traffic police are rewarded time off in lieu for working over their allotted shift but struggle to find the chance to take it with being so short staffed.

Last Wednesday, only one unmarked police crime car, with two riot-trained officers, was covering Chester and Ellesmere Port, as well as a handful of traffic cars.

Two years ago, two unmarked cars would have patrolled the Chester division in the morning, two in the afternoon and two at night.

Officers admit if two serious road accidents happened at once they would find it difficult to cope.

Following a recent shake up of policing, unmarked cars now have to respond to burglaries and accidents - diverting their attention away from catching serious criminals.

One officer, who does not wish to be named, told The Chronicle: 'The number of traffic officers has almost halved in the last couple of years as well as the number of unmarked car officers.

'Two years ago their numbers were benchmarked and we could not have any less than a specific number. That has changed.

'A couple of years ago we had 27 traffic officers. There are now 15. We used to have 21 unmarked car officers who intercept travelling criminals. There are now 10. What our bosses have done is merge what is left.

'As a result, we are finding it a challenge to respond to accidents and to do all the pro-active things such as catching motorists using mobile phones, assisting the Ministry of Transport with road checks or carrying out drink-drive campaigns.

'Catching travelling drug dealers is proving harder because the unmarked car staff has been cut.

'There is currently a major structural change underway which is looking at operations. An army of divisional units is going to be re-organised. The jury is still out on whether we will be worse off.'

The officer added: 'We cope because we are professional. However, our desire to be more pro-active is limited. The force now prioritises which accidents we attend first. It's a matter for the control room.

'Our efficiency is reduced but the management view is that we have got community action teams. This has been allowed to happen over a period of time. It's time the public knew.'