WILTSHIRE Police's highly-trained fast response traffic team could be scrapped or broken up as the force battles to cope with a shortage of officers.

Re-structuring the traffic division is one of a range of options being looked at by police chiefs as they work to improve the service, particularly in west Wiltshire, and put more bobbies on the beat.

The idea being floated is that traffic officers would rotate, spending time not just on fast-response team duties, but also on general police work.

The proposal has angered traffic officers, who say they already have a major workload and cannot afford to lose staff to other duties.

But Acting Inspector Caroline Evely said there was no suggestion to get rid of the fast response team altogether, and nothing definite had been decided.

Recruiting staff is the priority, as the force says it does not have enough to deal with the workload.