UP TO 500 jobs are under threat due to a major reorganisation at Cheshire Police accelerated by an £18m financial black hole.

That’s the claim by Unison, which fears the 1,700 strong civilian workforce could be slashed against a background of worsening public finances.

And the union fears police officers will be forced back into the office to take up the slack.

Cheshire Constabulary is predicting its transformation project will remove waste and less useful activity, dramatically reduce operational overheads and create a structure delivering a cost- effective service.

Liz Morris, Cheshire police Unison branch secretary, said: “My concern is if the new way of working doesn’t work, the force won’t have the money to re-employ police staff and so police officers will end up doing back-office jobs again and won’t be on the streets fighting crime.”

The Transforming Policing vision says the current force structure is inflexible to changing demands and a potential £18m budget shortfall over the next three years ‘is forcing the pace’.

Reorganisation of back-room functions like human resources and finance could cost more than 130 jobs.

Staff in ‘middle office’ functions like forensic science are being consulted over changes which could cost more than 30 posts.

Changes in the delivery of front-line services present the biggest savings opportunities, with potential implications for the workforce of 2,118 police officers, 237 PCSOs and staff in call handling and customer services.

Funding pressures are already biting, with recruitment freezes for officers and staff.

Thirty-four police officer posts have been axed, including three armed anti-terrorism officers, to plug a £5m shortfall in the current budget.

Constabulary spokeswoman Brenda Cowling said having the ‘right service, in the right place, at the right time’ meant the force could be more effective even with a smaller workforce.