A POLICE force is radically overhauling two of its sections to create an expanded road policing unit.

The merger of Durham Constabulary's traffic and dog sections will see 141 constables based in the force's 12 main police stations.

Superintendent Andy Summerbell, head of the operations division, said: "Nationally the trend has been to reduce the number of officers dedicated to road policing, but Durham has done the opposite and invested heavily in equipment and personnel."

The unit's main three aims will be to deny criminals the use of the county's 2,500 miles of roads, cut motoring casualties and tackle the offending that blights community life.

Officers will continue to use their expertise, including accident investigation, vehicle examination, overseeing the movement of hazardous material and enforcing traffic laws, but they will take on extra responsibilities.

A number of traffic officers are trained in firearms. Within three years, the number of firearms officers in the new unit will be increased from 36 to 60, to provide more on-duty cover for armed response vehicles, baton gunners and tactical teams.

Head of the unit, Chief Inspector Paul Goundry, said: "An essential product of all these changes will be to respond instantly to situations as and when they arise, without having to wait to call in special officers who might be off-duty."

The implementation of a flexible single crewing policy will aim to keep up to 30 cars on the road at any time.

A pilot scheme could also lead to each unit vehicle being installed with automatic numberplate recognition equipment.

The unit plans to extend training to develop the ability of officers to pick out stolen vehicles.

In addition, more family liaison officers are to be made available to relatives of fatal road accident victims.

The unit plans to recruit internally to boost the unit's numbers and will develop skills through training.

Chief Insp Goundry said: "Additional time will be invested in existing and new casualty reduction initiatives and officers will pro-actively use powers to seize cars and motorcycles used for anti-social behaviour."