Emergency meetings have been held after 132 blackspots were found in a new police radio system.

Senior Thames Valley officers told telecommunications firm O2 to draw up revised plans for the Airwave system which would provide officers with adequate coverage throughout the force area.

Blackspots where officers would be unable to receive a signal on their radios include motorways, built-up areas, villages, and a number of high-security sites.

The scheme could now require up to 135 mobile phone-style masts. O2's original prediction was that 100 masts would be needed.

Chief Constable Peter Neyroud has written expressing his concern to the managing director of 02, and the chief executive of the Police Information Technology Organisation -- a Home Office agency which manages Airwave contracts.

David Wallis, Thames Valley Police's head of service improvement, said: "Maps were presented to us that showed a situation which was far worse than we expected in terms of cover. "From that point on, there has been a series of frantic meetings and letters asking them what they are going to do to sort the problems out."

Mr Wallis said he was optimistic Airwave, a company owned by O2, would get the technology right by July 18, when the new radio system is due to be introduced.

Airwave spokesman Josh Berle said: "We have a contractual and commercial obligation to provide cover to a police force's specification. We have got a large testing window which allows us to work with the force in question to make sure they have got what they want."