THE rise in reports of sex abuse cases following the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal has led to police taking on agency staff.

Police chiefs said the force had turned to such workers as a short-term solution to handle the work which had become more than the force could deal with.

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Det Supt Andy Murphy said the staff being recruited had special skills needed for the sensitive and potentially complex nature of the newly-reported cases.

But the police officers’ union said the use of agency staff could not be used as a long-term fix.

Det Supt Murphy said: “Lancashire Constabulary needs to recruit additional staff from time to time to meet specific operational needs at times of increased operational demand.

“This is usually done on a short-term basis.

“The requirements of the work we are currently recruiting for requires specialist investigative skills, and is a more cost-effective way of employing staff on a short-term contract basis, giving us greater flexibility.”

Police Federation Lancashire chairwoman Rachel Baines said: “I think this is a sign of the times.

“With officer numbers decreasing at a rapid rate the job needs to be done, but cheaper.

“A consequence of that is civilian staff taking on jobs people would traditionally see as police officer roles.

“My concern is that this continues as a long-term solution and we cannot carry on like this.

“These are serious criminal investigations.”

Ms Baines said she could understand the reason for the recruitment of agency staff - who are expected to receive £11.71 an hour - but was worried for the future of policing.

She said: “If there is a shortfall in staff it is a logical solution but as a long-term fix it cannot continue.

“The cracks are starting to appear.

“We have lost 700 officers and there is still £20million of savings to find and most of the police budget is spent on staff wages.

“There is nowhere else to cut from so this is worrying for the future of British policing.”

As well as Savile, broadcaster Stuart Hall was another high-profile figure charged and found guilty of multiple sexual offences.