The scheme is designed for officers undertaking the most difficult jobs

Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Keith Povey, has labelled David Blunkett's "special priority payments" as "divisive".

The scheme, which was introduced last year, offers one-off payments for officers involved in the most demanding jobs.

Sir Keith believes the payments are being handed out inappropriately.

He said: "HMIC shares the view of others that they are divisive and are wrongly attributed to posts as opposed to people.

"There is clear disparity between forces on how the process is implemented, with little evidence at this stage to prove that the initial objectives have been achieved."

He also claims that the payments, which can range from �500 to �3,000 a year, have proved unpopular among police officers.

Demanding jobs

The scheme is designed for officers undertaking the most difficult and demanding jobs, such as recovering bodies.

It is believed that police authorities and chief constables will have to spend a minimum of 1% of the force's annual basic pay bill for all ranks on the scheme in 2003-2004.

This is expected to rise to 1.5% in 2004-2005 and to 2% in 2005-2006.

The general secretary of the Police Federation, Clint Elliott, supported Sir Keith's comments on the scheme.

He said: "There are continuing problems with special priority payments which are divisive by definition.

"As long as only 40% of officers can access them and the majority cannot they will generate discontent."