UNION leaders say the public will suffer if a police force closes one of its two control rooms.

North Yorkshire Police are considering the future of the Newby Wiske and York call centres.

The force is consulting on whether to keep both control rooms or close one.

If it opts to shut one, it is understood the northern facility near Northallerton would be most likely to go.

About 250 staff are employed at the two control rooms, including 120 at Newby Wiske.

Details of the proposal have emerged as the force attempts to save up to £11m over the next two years.

As well as shedding 350 civilian staff, the force expects to lose 200 police officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: “The issue of control room provision is currently being assessed and consulted on within the force.

“The options that are being explored include retaining the current two control room sites at Newby Wiske and York, or removing one of the two sites.”

He said the force operated a virtual control room, meaning there was an in-built flexibility to reorganise the way it functions.

He added: “While the consultation process is ongoing it would not be appropriate to go into any more detail at this stage, other than to say that any decision will be based on maximising efficiency while continuing to provide a high level of service to the public.”

Last year, the police force handled 75,382 emergency 999 calls and 464,234 non-emergency calls.

John Mackfall, Unison branch secretary, said losing one control room would mean there would be no back-up for the remaining call centre.

He added: “We are very, very good at answering phone calls and getting police to where they need to be.

“We are worried that we will not be able to provide as good a service to the public if we go to one control room.”

Mark Botham, chairman of North Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “In terms of the health, safety and welfare of our members and the potential impact on the public we serve, we will be engaging with the force and police authority in the statutory consultation.”