POLICE bosses are today expected to approve a bonus scheme that could net senior police officers thousands of pounds - on the same day 230 police constables and a raft of services face the axe.

Durham Police Authority meets this morning to set its budget for next year. But while a scheme to allow senior officers bonuses of up to 15 per cent is expected to be approved, policing on the streets in the Prime Minister's backyard could suffer as Durham tries to make ends meet.

Papers that go before the police authority today warn members that Durham risks a reduction in performance across the board, a "substantial impact on morale", and a "possible exodus as uncertainty continues".

On top of this, the report says the loss of 230 officers through natural wastage might be unachievable.

This means risking a legal challenge if officers have to be lost on "efficiency grounds".

To make matters worse, neighbouring Cleveland and North Yorkshire police will have record numbers of bobbies on the beat next year.

The only way Durham can avoid the cuts is for council tax to rise above five per cent, which risks incurring a financial penalty from the Government.

Durham Police has said it would need to increase its part of council tax by a third if it is to continue to provide the same level of service.

It has urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to step in to help it out of the financial mire, but the Sedgefield MP pulled out of a meeting with Chief Constable Jon Stoddart last month and the meeting has not been rearranged.

Mr Stoddart and force bosses have met Police Minister Tony McNulty and Home Office chiefs. They had asked for permission for a 34 per cent increase in their share of council tax. But last night it did not look like the force was to get the reprieve.

Charles Johnson, chairman of the South Durham Conservatives, called for there to be an in-depth audit of how and why Durham Police came to be in this predicament.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith, chairman of the Police Federation in Durham, said: "Everybody will do their level best to make sure the service to the public doesn't diminish, but I can't see how this won't affect the service."

At today's meeting, the Police Authority will also be asked to approve the setting up a chief officer bonus scheme.

This scheme, being brought in across the country, will reward chief constables, their deputies and assistant chief constables with up to 15 per cent of their pay as a non- pensionable bonus. It will be performance-related.

The Northern Echo understands the Durham chief constable will receive a salary of £120,000 next year and so could possibly net a bonus of £18,000.

Durham Police Authority meets today at 11am.