Talks over closure of front counters at police stations

Unison is concerned about the effect the changes will have on the hours and pay of up to 40 non-uniformed staff.

The force wants to close the receptions of the 12 main police stations to the public at night.

Secretary for the Durham Police branch of Unison, Gerry Gallagher, said: "We are concerned about the effect it could have on staff.

"We will be looking at the contracts and doing our very best to make sure they have as little impact as possible on individuals.

"It has got the potential to have an impact on salaries, powers and could affect duties and responsibilities, but we do not know yet.

"We will be talking with the force about the effect the changes will have on the staff on the front counter."

Talks are to be held later this month.

Front inquiry desks at Chester-le-Street, Stanley, Seaham, Spennymoor, Crook and Barnard Castle will be open on weekdays from 8am-6pm.

Those at Durham, Consett, Peterlee, Newton Aycliffe and Bishop Auckland will be open from 8am to 7pm on weekdays and between 9pm to 5pm on weekends.

The desk in Darlington will operate between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends.

The proposals were given the go-ahead in February after they were approved by Durham Police Authority.

The changes, likely to be introduced in the autumn, are expected to save the force more than £100,000 a year.

Authority clerk Leslie Davies said: "It will have a beneficial effect on policing in County Durham.

"It is about not having people sitting behind desks when they don't need to and it will put more police on the front line."

Director of finance and support services Patrick Melia said: "We have established there are times, particularly late at night and at weekends, when there is simply no demand and staff have little or nothing to do.

"We have done a lot of work and put in a lot of thought before making the latest changes.

"It has been done to match staff availability to the level of demand."