HALTON will lose 14 police officers by April 2000, Cheshire Constabulary admitted this week.

As revealed exclusively in last week's World, fears were mounting that jobs could be axed following a major review of the force.

Police chiefs say improving crime statistics indicate that Widnes and Runcorn are overstaffed.

And they hope the posts will go through natural wastage - officers who retire or leave won't be replaced.

But the shock cuts have outraged residents who claim there is already a shortage of police, with an increasing delay in response times.

And they say they are extremely worried about the effect it will have on crime and community safety.

Tommy Glynn of Halton Tenants Federation, and a member of Halton police forum said: "It is frightening. People living on estates throughout the borough are already too scared to go out alone at night.

"Everybody knows there there are not enough police on the ground.

"We have already asked for more patrols. We are very concerned about the response times - 15 minutes if it's immediate, a routine call in 45 minutes or, if it is a deferred incident, within three working days! That's ridiculous!"

A special motion was put before Halton Council last night, calling for an immediate inquiry by Cheshire police authority into the "apparent lack of sufficient police personnel in Halton."

It called on "the chief constable to ensure that extra resources are made available in order that the present public concerns can be addressed."

Cllr Pat Tyrrell, who proposed the motion, said: "Is crime going down or is it not being reported? I am very concerned."

Cllr Tyrrell said he had written to Halton's police chief, Supt Helen King, but received no reply.

However, just days after tabling his motion, he and three other councillors were invited to a meeting with her.

"It's amazing that you've got to go to these steps," said Cllr Tyrrell. "I was approached by the chairman of the police authority to attend a meeting to discuss the problems we want to raise."

No debate or vote was held on last night's motion. A report will be given to the council's new executive board in January, following the meeting with Halton's police chief.

A spokesman for Cheshire police said: "Cheshire Constabulary continually reviews the most efficient and effective use of its resources. A recent review looked at the needs of the various areas within the constabulary and as a result of that review, some postings will be removed from the Halton area. Fourteen posts are going.

"This will be done over a period of time over the coming months, hopefully through a process of natural wastage ie when people retire they won't be replaced.

"Staff are involved in the consultation process to decide which posts are going to go. It has not yet been decided which."

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