A SCHEME which could see Lancashire police given random tests for drug and alcohol misuse has been greeted with caution by force bosses and officers.

The proposed legislation has been put forward by the Police Advisory Board and would cover all new recruits to the Force across the country and those involved in serious accidents.

The Police Advisory Board -- a Government organisation which advises on Force policy --was due to meet this week to discuss the proposals. If they get the go-ahead the tests would be rolled out nationally.

Other officers covered by the tests would be those in units such as firearms and air support as well as officers who are thought to be giving cause for concern.

Police bosses say that though there is not a widespread problem of substance abuse in the police, it is inevitable that in such a large organisation some people would be using drugs or other substances.

It has not been decided exactly how the tests will be carried out or whether the scheme will be extended to cover all officers in the police service at some stage in the future.

Lancashire Police have called for more consultation about the proposals before any scheme is implemented.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of the proposals and we are awaiting more details. There is no evidence that the service has a drug problem and we would like some more consultation over the scheme before anything is brought in."

Chairman of the National Police Federation Fred Broughton has warned that careful consideration needs to be given to the issue of testing officers.

He has also called for evidence to support the claim that police officers may be using drugs or other illegal substances.

He said there needed to be wider consultation about the implications of random drug tests and more debate about the support and confidentiality offered to officers involved in the tests.