ON the day of the Great Heck rail crash, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott made a statement to the Commons. "The House will want to join me in paying tribute to the North Yorkshire police," he said, hailing the "true professionalism, courage and efficiency in, yet again, the most difficult circumstances" of the emergency services.

It was generous and justified praise for the heroic efforts on that terrible day. Mr Prescott was very impressed by an operation which saw more than 900 police officers carrying out the grimmest imaginable tasks in the midst of carnage.

However, kind words do not pay the bills. The Deputy Prime Minster made his comments 13 hours after the Selby disaster. Eleven months later, the Government has still to pay what it owes to North Yorkshire police.

Due to the Whitehall's failure to settle up, the force has a £900,000 hole in its reserves. Deputy Chief Constable Peter Walker said this could soon affect the work the police are able to do.

It is rare for so senior an officer to publicly criticise the Government. Mr Walker has clearly run out of patience after intense lobbying did not move Whitehall.

This has been a busy and expensive period for North Yorkshire police. As well as Great Heck, detectives have been investigating a series of serious crimes, including several murders, and officers even helped out during the Bradford riots.

If the force were faced with another major incident - even a prolonged York City cup run - resources would have to be diverted away from day-to-day policing, Mr Walker has warned. Such a situation would undermine the impact of the extra officers his force has recruited.

It is ludicrous that the people of North Yorkshire should be penalised because our police force responded so well to one of the worst disasters it has ever faced. The relevant minister should apologise and hand over the money immediately. If they do not, perhaps Mr Prescott could have a word.

Updated: 10:30 Monday, January 21, 2002