A POLICE force facing budget cuts and job losses has defended spending more than £100,000 on luxury cars for chief officers.

Durham Police, which recently axed 86 civilian staff and is drawing up £6m saving plans to cope with 110 fewer officers, bought four company cars for its senior officers, it was reported today.

The force has bought an Audi A6 tdi, BMW 525d, Mercedes E Class 220 cdi and a Mercedes E Class 320 cdi for the chief constable, deputy chief constable, assistant chief constable and assistant chief officer since 2006.

Each vehicle cost between £25,000 and £31,000, a Freedom of Information request revealed, and their servicing costs totalled £17,000.

Charlotte Linacre, from the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "The fact the Government is running out of cash should have put the brakes on spending so much on luxury cars.

"Taxpayers want their money spent on bobbies on the beat before personal perks for top coppers.

"There are plenty of more affordable options, when this is effectively a gift - not a supercar for chasing criminals. Saving money should be more of a priority."

However, a Mike Mastaglio, Durham Police's fleet manager, said each of the vehicles would remain in service for around four years, covering up to 90,000 miles.

"When insurance, fuel and general running costs are taken into account these cars represent excellent value for money. They are less likely to break down than a cheaper vehicle and their resale value remains high when the time comes to dispose of them at auction," he added.