THE county's biggest shake up in policing for a decade will result in more bobbies on the beat and the promise of no redundancies, police chiefs claimed this week.

The claims were made after sweeping changes - which will see Durham's six police divisions reduced to four from next April - were given the go-ahead by the police advisory group.

Under the new model, Wear and Tees will amalgamate with Sedgefield; Chester le Street, Durham and Derwentside will become one, but Darlington and Easington will remain the same.

In a statement to the group, Unison branch secretary Gerry Gallagher said staff were worried that new plans would have a major impact on jobs, salaries and where they worked.

But Chief Con George Hedges moved quickly to allay fears and offer reassurances to support staff, reported to be feeling angry and frustrated at the proposed streamlining.

"Difficult decisions will not be ducked, but any potential effect on support staff will be very high in our thinking," he said.

His deputy, Paul Garvin, said he too recognised that support staff felt anxious and concerned, which could sometimes spill over into frustration.

"Some people may be required to work from different locations or do a slightly differ.

"We are continually looking to improve and we feel some of the current divisions are too small," he explained.

The full implications of the mergers are still unclear, with the framework yet to be worked out. But management and other overheads will be slimmed down and any savings used to put a minimum of 20 more officers into front line policing.

Plans for a closer working relationship between the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts are also under consideration.