THE number of special constables in North Yorkshire has plummeted by almost 45 per cent in four years, new figures have revealed.

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh claimed the decline - from 337 in September 1997 to 186 last September - indicated a "huge retention and recruitment crisis" caused by disenchantment and frustration.

She said specials, like regular police officers, were being overwhelmed by bureaucracy and paperwork, and morale across the police had plummeted.

But North Yorkshire Police said the reduction in special numbers had resulted from a major change in the nature of the job, which had demanded a much greater commitment in time which not all were able to give.

"There is more and more training involved, in machinery, the law and policing techniques," said force spokesman Tony Lidgate.

The specials were now much more streamlined, with a simpler command structure.

He said there were currently 182 specials, compared with 180 this time last year, with another nine in training.

"We are looking for 42 more," he said. "There's a great need for special constables. They do a tremendous job."

Miss McIntosh said the figures, obtained by Conservatives in Parliament, revealed that North Yorkshire Police had experienced an even bigger drop than the rest of England - 44.8 per cent compared with 37 per cent.

She said special constables played a vital role in neighbourhood policing.

"Conservatives want less red tape and micromanagement from Whitehall pen pushers, so we can put more police officers back on patrol in the Vale of York."

Updated: 11:16 Thursday, April 18, 2002