LANCASHIRE Constabulary is being forced into cutting its overtime bill to meet government targets -- a move which has been labelled 'a Robbers' Charter'.

The force forecasts it will have just £16million to spend on overtime for its 3,000 plus officers between 2003 and 2006.

Its overtime bill for this financial year is expected to be £8.2million, but under new figures the force will have just over £5million a year to spend.

The government proposals form part of police reform plans and are expected to save £45million from its £300million annual overtime bill.

A police report said the force would strive to achieve the target without affecting performance, but that it would mean "enormous reductions".

And MPs spoke of their concern, with one saying that without employing more police, cutting overtime would mean less bobbies on the street.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans added: "I'm very concerned about this. This sounds like a Robbers' Charter and I shall take it up at Westminster."

But Steve Edwards, chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation, representing rank and file officers, said he welcomed the target as it would prevent officers having unreasonable demands placed on them.

He added: "If it has the desired effect of making the force and managers use their resources more efficiently, then we support it.

"They will have to use better planning. I think in the past there's been a tendency to respond to things at the last minute and so disrupting officers' domestic circumstances."

The report, which will be presented to the Lancashire Police Authority on Wednesday at County Hall, Preston, said a consultation is taking place to assess the impact of the target.

It states Lancashire's overtime bill for 2001-02 was £5.141million, which included £1million for policing the Burnley riots. However, this year's total is expected to reach £8.2 million because of the demands of the various crime crackdowns, such as Safer Streets, and as there has been a higher-than-normal level of police constable vacancies.

The report said: "In recent years, overtime has been used effectively to meet government priorities and to address areas of concern and, as a result, we've seen a significant improvement in performance.

"The target represents enormous reductions on where we stand today and it will undoubtedly be very challenging.

"While the force will strive to achieve it, it will be difficult to meet the target without impacting adversely on performance."

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "The police obviously have to live within their budget. Having said that, this is a matter of concern and I hope the Police Authority will raise this with me then I can take it up with the government."