A PLAN to reorganise one of the region's police forces will not result in redundancies, police chiefs have stressed.

The preferred option for Durham Constabulary force is to split it into a division in the north, with headquarters at Chester-le-Street, and one in the south with headquarters in Darlington. Another option of three divisions is also being considered.

Both options would see administration staff based in Peterlee, Consett and Newton Aycliffe.

The plans have caused anger among some local authorities and parish councils, which fear the changes will mean working relations between themselves and the police will suffer and officers' knowledge of smaller areas will not be as good.

Police chiefs hope the plans will make the force more efficient and cost-effective by cutting the number of chief superintendents from 12 to six.

Ron Hogg, assistant chief constable of Durham Constabulary, said: "We are acknowledged as one of the best run forces in the country but we need to change or we will stagnate.

"A very wide-ranging process of consultation has been launched and we are not going to rush it we have to get it right.

"Core and beat policing will remain unchanged but the six division structure will go.

"Among the problems being addressed by the review are an imbalance of workloads, duplication of functions, an unequal distribution of support staff and a lack of flexibility. It is not sustainable."