Police officers are to lose their jobs as the result of a shake-up of the Port of Tilbury force - one of the oldest in the country.

It was revealed today that almost half of the force based at the docks will be made redundant in sweeping changes which will also see its present station closed down.

However, the loss of nine of the 20-strong force is not as bad as originally feared - the port wanted to make 13 people redundant in its original plans.

Discussions between employers and the Port Police Federation have seen a compromise with 11 uniformed officers being maintained at the port from the end of February.

Federation chairman Det Con Simon Whitaker said: "Originally they wanted seven, but later suggested ten. We wanted 12 and settled on 11."

The cuts would be made with voluntary redundancies, said Mr Charles Hammond, the port's managing director, and there were already "sufficient volunteers".

He said the port's police force would be "changing its focus", and "concentrating on crime prevention, cargo loss and the security of our customers' goods".

Mr Hammond added that the port would be investing in extra training for the remaining officers as well as installing extra closed-circuit television cameras and monitors.

There will be no CID officers in the new force and the present police station will close.

Mr Hammond said: "There will be a new and refurbished building housing the police at the main gate."

Mr Whitaker said: "We will not have sufficient officers to carry out real investigative work.

That is something they have decided they want, but I believe the job needs CID.

"Obviously I'm not very happy about it, but compared with the original proposal it is an improvement.

"At least there are jobs for those who do not want to leave. We will be having a system that seems to be workable with a reduced level of policing. We shall just have to see if it can work."

The managing director said that no discussions had yet been held with Essex Police, adding that he felt "it was inappropriate" before the deal was finalised.

"We will not expect Essex Police to be running all over the port. We will continue to co-operate with Essex Police as we do now. We have many links with them and that will continue."

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