BRITAIN'S police reacted with horror last night to claims that hard-pressed forces may have to employ private security guards to back up bobbies on the beat.

Senior officers told The Northern Echo they believed certain work, such as policing public meetings and routine patrols, may be handed to private firms under the Government's "best value" efficiency drive.

Superintendent Arthur Monk, of Merseyside Police, said the move meant police forces had to reach tough crime reduction targets while also ensuring maximum value for money.

If it cost twice as much to put a policeman on the beat as a security guard a force would have to consider the private option.

Supt Monk's comments came at a meeting of the North of England Superintendents' Association.

But the idea was yesterday attacked by the Police Federation at both a national and local level. A spokesman said: "We believe the job can only be done by a professional who is accountable.

"Private security firms do not have police training nor the power of arrest, other than a citizen. If this was taken up, our police officers would have to clean up the mess created."

A spokesman for the North Yorkshire police federation called on the Government to put more money into getting more officers on the beat rather than looking at private firms.

He said: "Our view and the public view is that there should be more police officers who are properly trained and accountable.

"The best value is to have police officers that is what the public wants. What the Government should do is put more money in to getting more offices on the streets."

A spokeswoman for the Home Office denied that Best Value meant taking the cheapest option and said police forces should look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the service they provide.

She said: "Chief constables do decide what police duties should be staffed by specials or civilians and it is a matter for each individual.

"Our point is not to replace policemen with private security firms but to meet local needs in consultation with local people while getting value for money."

A spokeswoman for the Sedgefield Community Force, a council group which works with the police to patrol the streets, said: "We are not a security force and we are accountable to the public through the council.

"We have a very good relationship with the police. In a recent survey it was revealed 33 per cent of people would be happy to see a security guard patrolling the streets whilst 88 per cent would be happy to see a community force and 91 per cent would be happy to see a police officer.

"People want something more than a security guard can offer."

In another development last night, the Home Office announced a £15m award to cut the annual £30m shortfall in funding for rural forces. In return, rural forces, many of whom already have their own targets, have agreed to set a nationally accepted target response time