A ROW has broken out between two police forces at the centre of a proposed merger, with one accusing the other of wasting taxpayers' money.

The accusation came after it was revealed that Northumbria Police had built up a £70m reserve, which is about seven times the amount held by the Cleveland and Durham forces.

Dave McLuckie, chairman of the Cleveland Police Authority, said: "It is obscene to have that much money in reserve when it should be spent on policing.

"They should have two years without asking the rate-payer for any money and they could still provide the service they are at the moment."

Northumbria Police's reserve is £70.3m, compared to Durham's £10.5m, and Cleveland's £9.8m.

The Northumbria reserve could pay for an extra 200 officers a year for the next ten years.

The Government has proposed a merger of Cleveland, Northumbria and Durham into one "super force".

The Teesside authority opposes the plan, preferring a Tees Valley force.

Northumbria taxpayers have seen their council tax bill rise by three per cent this year, and pay an average of £70 a year to fund the force.

However, Northumbria Police Authority, last week named the second best in the country, argues that the fund is vital for major emergencies, as well as future building work.