UP TO 500 office jobs are under threat at Cheshire Police as the force tries to plug a £5 million budget shortfall.

Union leaders fear the financial pressures will see the force's 1,656 civilian staff cut by more than one quarter.

Police officials stressed that front-line policing will not be affected by any cuts.

It is hoped any losses can be covered by retirements and a recruitment freeze in some departments.

News of the staffing review comes as Staffordshire Police is cutting back its policing divisions and delaying the recruitment of 14 new bobbies because of their own funding problems.

Cheshire Police Authority deputy chief executive Damon Taylor said: "A review is underway to look to increase efficiencies in the back office. There is a possibility that will lead to a reduction in numbers of police staff.

"Whether that will mean redundancies is not clear.

"There's a target to reduce management costs by at least 20 per cent.

"A report will be made to the authority in July about the management structure. A very detailed review is being carried out."

One plan is to return police officers, who have previously moved to office roles, back onto the frontline and put cheaper civilian staff in desk jobs.

The force needs to save £5 million from its £177.5 million budget, despite increasing council tax by 2.72 per cent.

As well as the civilian staff the force employs 2,142 police officers and 222 police community support officers.

Police Authority chairman Margaret Ollerenshaw, pictured, said: "As in all parts of the country, we have been affected by the recession. Setting the budget at the maximum permitted by the Government will not meet our current shortfall and savings of £5 million will be required to balance the finances.

"Our challenge is to ensure that the police service is efficient and effective."

Leaders of Cheshire Police's Unison branch has pledged to fight the planned cuts.

Branch secretary Elizabeth Morris said: "Many police forces, including Cheshire, are making these sorts of cuts. However, Cheshire seems the most radical – as it could lead to the loss of 500 police staff posts.

"It is our job to work with the employer to ensure the impact of the cuts affect police staff jobs as little as possible.

"We will do all we can to support our members and protect police staff jobs."

The Sentinel reported last month that hundreds of jobs were under threat at Staffordshire Police as it tackles a £4 million funding shortfall in its £190 million budget.

Cuts will include a reduction in the current four policing divisions structure and the loss of office jobs as some departments, including human resources, finance and IT, are merged with other West Midlands forces.