LANCASHIRE Police are hoping to attract the country's top coppers to the county - by offering them top-of-the-range hire cars.

The top brass have become concerned that the number of applicants for senior posts has steadily dwindled over the years.

They believe the pay and benefits package offered by the force is inferior to offers made by others around the country - enticing the best police officers away from the red rose county.

Neighbouring forces, including Cheshire and Merseyside, already provide leased cars for their chief staff.

Five lease cars will be provided for the force's elite at a cost of £31,150 - £7,150 a year more than the £24,000 currently spent on chief officer mileage and use of pool cars.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "It is felt that the inclusion of a car in the package for current chief officers posts - excluding that of the chief constable, which has always had a dedicated vehicle - will help retain senior people and ensure stability in the 'top team'."

It is hoped that the new incentive will lead to a high-quality of candidates for future posts, such as the vacancy created by assistant chief constable Tarique Ghaffur, who has been seconded to a national police organisation.

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