An inquiry is being held into controversial changes to community policing in Nottinghamshire.

The police watchdog, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, will look into reports that officers are being taken off rural beats to work in the inner city.

Nottingham North MP Graham Allen and Bassetlaw MP John Mann had both expressed concern at the loss of officers from out-of-town areas.

A report organised by Mr Mann has highlighted the amount of drug-related crime in smaller towns.

We need all our experienced officers here

Bassetlaw MP John Mann

The Home Office minister John Denham had already announced a routine inspection of the Nottingham City force in January.

Now Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has also been told to report on the effectiveness of the force's reorganisation.

Mr Mann insisted his area should not lose out on police manpower.

He said: "Ten senior police officers have been transferred from the northern Nottingham division to the city of Nottingham, presumably because of the problems in the city.

"While I have nothing against Nottingham having good policing, at a time when we have established the levels of crime and heroin addiction in my area we need all our experienced officers here."

Deputy Chief Constable Sean Price said while the force was at record size, not as many senior officers had been recruited as hoped.

This meant experienced officers were taken from other divisions to serve in Nottingham.

He added: "They will be replaced on the divisions by probationary officers.

"We have worked hard with our staff associations and local commanders to ensure that there will be no disruption to the public and the minimal disruption to the officers concerned."