LOCAL authorities in Devon have spent £2.5million of taxpayers' cash on hiring vehicles over the last four years, the Echo can reveal.

And despite having more than 1,000 vehicles in its own fleet, Devon and Cornwall Police is responsible for £2million — 80 per cent — of that total.

The figures, from 2006 to this year, have been released under the Freedom of Information Act and have drawn criticism from campaign group the Taxpayers' Alliance, which has described the figure as 'a huge expense'.

Last year the police force shelled out almost half a million pounds on hiring vehicles.

That figure, £454,125, was lower than in the previous year, 2008, when £468,508 was spent. The figure in 2007 was even larger, at £503,642. The force claims that despite having possession of 1,170 vehicles, often the most cost-effective option is to hire one.

Figures have also been released for Exeter City Council, which reveal that the authority has spent more than a quarter of a million pounds on vehicle hire over the last four years.

Fiona McEvoy, grassroots manager at the Taxpayers' Alliance, said the spending was not good value for money.

"It's difficult to see how this measure is cost-effective when the bodies concerned could have bought several new cars for the same amount," she said. "Police and council finances are under serious strain at the moment, and this huge expense clearly indicates that they need to explore other travel options.

"What's more, in many of these situations public transport must have been available as a cheaper alternative."

Nigel Rabbitts, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall's Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, warned the spending on hiring vehicles could increase as cuts were made to the force.

"I'm not surprised by the figure of £2million and it may rise as the force reduces its fleet," he said.

"Officers can't be relied upon to use their own vehicles, and they're trying to get officers to do that and claim back a reduced mileage rate.

"We encourage our members not to use their own vehicles, and so there may be a large increase in vehicle hire."

Martin Davies, head of transport at Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "While this organisation operates a substantial number of owned vehicles, we have to ensure our travel arrangements are fulfilled in the most cost-effective way.

"The prudent use of hire vehicles to supplement the owned fleet is a cost-effective and operationally sound management technique.

"If no appropriate fleet vehicles are available due to operational demand or practical location, a hire vehicle is one option that may be employed."

Exeter City Council, which owns 149 vehicles, says it hires vehicles to cover maintenance, housing pool cars and additional unplanned workloads.