HAMPSHIRE'S chief constable has renewed calls for a regional police pay allowance after constables in the south were found to be 15 per cent worse off than their northern counterparts.

Paul Kernaghan appealed for the government to introduce an allowance that reflected the high cost of living in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Speaking at Hampshire Police Federation's annual open meeting in Winchester last night, Mr Kernaghan said research had shown officers in some parts of the south-east were 15 per cent worse off when compared to an officer in the north.

"We are all aware that issues of retention and recruitment are affecting the whole region to various degrees, and the south-east forces have collaborated on a submission to the Home Office," he said.

"It is wrong that economic reality is not reflected in police renumeration; there should be a national salary but there should also be an allowance which reflects the economic circumstances based upon a scientific formula."

He continued: "Hampshire Constabulary appears to be faring somewhat better than some of its neighbours who have been haemorrhaging trained officers.

"I believe that pride in belonging to the force - a highly professional one - is our greatest strength in retaining officers.

"However, pride does not pay the mortgage, nor do political fixes.

"I trust that government will recognise the need for a regional allowance and utilise objective factors to agree its level."

Mr Kernaghan spoke out just days after a poll of Hampshire police officers revealed that one in six had considered quitting Hampshire because they could not afford a decent home.

With the average south Hampshire house price currently standing at £148,600, the average new recruit would have to earn £46,000 a year to meet lending criteria instead of the £19,170 they receive after initial training.

A packed meeting of rank-and-file officers at Winchester Guildhall heard the chief constable warn that a proposed shake-up of central funding would lead either to reduced services or increased council tax bills.

Newly-appointed Hampshire Police Federation chairman Keith Ward echoed concerns about the government proposals, which could result in the county losing up to £10.4m towards policing.

Urging officers to write to MPs with their concerns, he said: "Shift strengths and frontline CID officers are still suffering from the continuous demand to populate one squad or another.

"We often hear managers quoting 'frontline first' but it always seems that the buck stops with the shift officers and the CID officers. I can only see this situation worsening if the proposed government reforms on budgets go ahead."