Budget cuts threat to police jobs

A special team has been set up to try to maintain services

Jobs are under threat because of future budget cuts at Devon and Cornwall Police, the police authority's new chairman has said.

Mike Bull told BBC News the authority will have to make £14m in savings over the next few years.

He said everything possible would be done to minimise job losses and keep the "front line" well resourced.

In August the authority said having to find savings of £10m a year could result in cutting 300 police officers.

The force is so concerned about funding cuts, a special team of senior officers has been set up to try to maintain services.

Mr Bull said: "What the authority and the chief constable are very anxious to do is to ensure that if there have to be reductions in people numbers, that it's done in a way which has absolutely minimal impact on front-line visible policing."