A police force is taking legal action over the controversial policy requiring all new officers to have a degree qualification.

Lincolnshire Police is seeking a judicial review of the College of Policing scheme, which was introduced last year, arguing that it will place officers in the classroom rather than out on the front line.

Chief Constable Bill Skelly said if the scheme goes ahead he will have around 40 fewer officers available to deploy at any one time, which amounts of 10 per cent of his overall strength.

The requirement for all new officers to become graduates was introduced by the College of Policing in order to professionalise the service.

But it has proved controversial with many serving officers, who regard academic qualifications as unnecessary for a job that requires a range of skills that many believe are best learned on the job.

Mr Skelly believes implementing the policy in his force area will be unsustainable at a time when he has been forced to slash resources to the bone.

He is also worried about the financial impact of having to pay for officers to attend the degree courses at local colleges and impact on the police pension scheme.