POLICE officers working idyllic Heartbeat country beats on the North York Moors are among those who can earn cash bonuses of up to £2,000 for filling unpopular roles, the Evening Press has learned.

Some North Yorkshire Police officers transferred to the coastal towns of Whitby and Scarborough, near the village of Goathland where the popular TV series is set, can qualify for a special priority payment scheme.

It is understood these payments have been offered because the coastal area is seen as more remote and, therefore, is a less popular posting.

The system is designed to help chief constables retain experienced and qualified officers in certain difficult-to-fill roles such as custody sergeants, firearms team members and community beat officers.

But the government-backed cash handouts have come under fire from grassroots police representatives for creating inequality and division among the ranks.

David Stockport, of the Police Federation, said the scheme was "a nightmare to administer" as many officers had found they were paid less than those working in virtually identical positions.

He said: "The problem is that these payments are extraordinarily divisive. How do you say to one police officer, 'you're doing your job, doing it well, but we're paying £2,000 extra to your colleague'?

"They have been a disaster to administer and there is only a maximum of 30 per cent of the force that can be allowed on the special priority payment scheme."

Other forces across the country can award up to £3,000, but payments in North Yorkshire are believed to reach just £2,000 for 30 per cent of the force's 1,486 officers.

Mr Stockport said: "I would be delighted if the whole scheme was dropped completely, but I don't believe that will occur. Although hopefully there will be some relaxation of the 30 per cent rule."

Maurice Reese, head of human resources for North Yorkshire Police, said national guidelines allowed only one-third of federated ranks to receive payments, "thereby introducing the potential for payments to appear divisive to some groups".

He said: "North Yorkshire Police has implemented these proposals in accordance with the national guidelines and in consultation with Federation representatives."

Updated: 10:36 Tuesday, September 30, 2003