LANCASHIRE'S police force loses almost 12 days a year per officer through sickness, statistics have revealed.

Average time off for illness in the county stands at 11.7 per year, putting Lancashire joint 19th in the list of 42 police forces across the country.

Merseyside tops the list with an average 18.6 days lost while Norfolk comes in bottom at 7.3 days per year.

The news come just days after Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw announced funding for police forces will be linked to sickness records.

Constabularies with the best records stand to get a bigger share of the extra £1.25 billion set aside for the police over the next three years.

Home Office officials say around £250 million worth of public money is lost every year because of sickness.

And Government officials, determined to cut back on sickness levels, have described the figures as alarming.

But bosses at Lancashire police claim a series of policies introduced in recent years is helping solve the problem in the county.

A spokesman said: "We are always looking at ways to reduce sickness levels and the number of people who retire on ill health grounds.

"If someone is injured in the course of their duties then we will do all we can find to find them a post which offers a satisfying and meaningful role in the force.

"Our staff are our most valuable asset and we will do all we can to help them through difficult circumstances."

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