POLICE forces have hit back at claims they have been weakened by employing too many civilian staff and not enough front-line officers.

North Yorkshire, Cleveland and Durham police forces have refuted the claims made by the Police Federation of England and Wales.

The police federation, using figures from the Home Office, states the situation may put the public at risk.

But the three forces have said that it makes more sense to have officers on patrol and not shuffling paper which could be done by civilians.

The figures show that Cleveland Police took on 352 officers to take it up to 1,756 officers and 328 civilian staff between 2000-09.

Dave McLuckie, Cleveland Police Authority chairman, said: "If you asked the public what they wanted from the police they would want them on the streets.

"They would not want them in the office shuffling papers around when that could be done by someone who was not an officer.

"We respond to all problems and our intention is to have the maximum number of officers on the front-line."

North Yorkshire took on 776 civilian staff compared to 152 officers between 2000-09 claim the figures.

Grahame Maxwell, North Yorkshire’s chief constable, said: "As demand has increased on police forces over the years, we have taken positive steps to free up officers’ time.

"Many roles can be carried out by civilian members of staff and it makes sound business sense to fill these positions with properly qualified people, thereby releasing police officers for front-line duty where their powers are needed.

"They all contribute to our core aims of protecting our communities, delivering justice and providing the best possible policing service.

"We are committed to maintaining our current level of front-line officers."

Durham Police has employed eight more officers between 2000-09 to take its total to 1,566 and over the same period it has taken on 506 civilian staff.

A spokesman for the Durham Police branch of UNISON said: "The increased civilianisation within Durham Constabulary is something to be welcomed as its purpose is to release more officers from paperwork that do not require a fully trained officer.

"This allows police officers to be released to front line roles, which adds to public protection for the people of County Durham and Darlington."

But Mark Botham, North Yorkshire Police Federation chairman, said: "It is alarming that there is no tangible evidence that even suggests the value brought by civilianising increasing numbers of police officer posts.

"At a time of financial restraint a rise in police staff numbers is absolute nonsense when the public want more police officers on the beat and available in emergency situations when needed."

He said a full independent review should be carried out which takes into account what the public wanted from the police.