UNION leaders are consulting with North Yorkshire Police following the announcement of £24.5 million funding cuts.

The police branch of Unison believe policing across North Yorkshire will be seriously hit by the cuts, which would also include about 310 staff redundancies in the first half of 2011.

Laura Harper, assistant branch secretary of Unison, said: “The proposals include closing the Force Control Room at Newby Wiske with a loss of 120 jobs, leaving the force vulnerable with one remaining control room covering all of North Yorkshire.

“We have always been fortunate that when a technical problem arose, we had a second control room to fall back on. If that resource was removed it could leave the front line officers and public at risk.

Unison claimed savings could be made in other areas of the force, rather than through compulsory redundancies.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “The force is currently undergoing a review of its structure and consulting with staff associations so that we continue to deliver the highest levels of service the public should expect.

“Until that process is complete it would be inappropriate to comment on specific areas.

“We have to be realistic and recognise that some very difficult decisions will have to be made as a result of the substantial cut in police funding from central Government.”