DURHAM Chief Constable George Hedges has launched a stinging attack on the pay deal for officers proposed under the new Police Reform Bill.

The deal, put forward by Home Secretary David Blunkett, was "divisive" and would set officer against officer, said Mr Hedges.

Among the pay proposals are bonus and priority payments for certain jobs.

Officers deemed to be in "difficult or demanding" jobs will receive an extra annual payment of between £500 and £5,000.

"Effective" officers at the top of their pay scale will get a one-off payment of £1,000, while an extra £400 is being added to the basic salary of every officer.

In return, some overtime rates are being reduced and certain allowances, such as the £250 plain clothes allowance for CID officers, are to be lost.

Mr Hedges, who retires in September after five years as Durham's most senior officer, said: "As far as Durham is concerned no one of us is more important than the other.

"I would have problems if I was asked who in the organisation was more important than someone else and who should qualify for the special payments.

"Is it the 24-hour response officer, CID, or a community beat officer? All are essential and it is abhorrent that we have to determine who is the most important."

Officers nationwide voted on the pay proposals on Wednesday with a result promised by February 25.

Despite previous claims that the deal was "non-negotiable", it is thought that if it is rejected further talks between the Government and police chiefs will take place to thrash out a way forward.

The Government is aiming for the new pay rates to begin from April 1, next year.

Mr Hedges said that if officers voted yes, it was hoped a transparent and open system of payments would be introduced.

Sergeant Terry Corrigan, chairman of the Durham branch of the Police Federation, said officers backed "95 per cent" of the Police Reform Bill, but objected to the pay proposals and plans to introduce community safety officers to take on certain police duties.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "As far as pay is concerned we believe this is a good deal that will leave the majority of officers better off over time."