A POLICE recruitment drive has sparked controversy after a rush of applications to join West Mercia Police.

The force, which is based at Hindlip Hall, has been accused by West Midlands Police of deliberately "poaching" officers from other areas during a campaign aimed at boosting its ranks by 20 per cent.

A total of 477 officers, including 310 probationers and 162 transferees, have joined West Mercia Police since it launched its Be Somebody campaign.

But the recruitment drive, dubbed the most high-profile in the history of the force, has angered colleagues in neighbouring West Midlands.

Paul Tonks, chairman of the West Midlands Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, has accused West Mercia Police of poaching.

He says since the campaign, the number of officers quitting their jobs has soared.

"They are leaving for jobs with the same kind of money and potentially less aggravation," said Mr Tonks.

"In the past year, 83 of our highly trained, prized assets have left to work in West Mercia leaving a gap which is not easy to fill. Previously, it was only about 35.

"I believe it has been a sustained campaign to target our officers and I believe it is morally wrong," he said.

But Jim Spence, head of personnel at West Mercia Police, said no officers from any area had been specifically targeted.

"While over half of the transferees came from West Midlands, the remainder came from more than 20 other forces.

"Most join West Mercia for personal reasons because of family or other links to the area."