This is Cornwall --
Devon and Cornwall Police "may struggle to protect the frontline" in the face of further budget cuts, an official report has said.
The warning from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) was the only negative in an otherwise positive assessment which had last year said the force was "at risk of not delivering an efficient and effective police service".
HMIC said Devon and Cornwall, which needs to save £53.5 million in the four years from 2011 to 2015, had made "good progress in meeting its financial challenge" and had "developed a detailed change programme which will allow it to reduce costs while continuing to fight crime".
HM Inspector of Constabulary for the Wales and Western Region Dru Sharpling said: "Devon and Cornwall Police faces a significant challenge.
"It has lower than average funding and has had to make savings prior to the spending review.
"As a result it may struggle to protect the frontline compared with other forces. While overall crime levels are low, the force is challenged by a large geographic area to police and, as reported by the force, has significant increases in the population over the summer months, from 1.7 million to around 11 million.
"Last year, HMIC reported that the force was at risk of not delivering an efficient and effective police service to the public.
"Since then the force has taken a firmer grip on its change programme, altered structures that were not delivering for the public and improved performance."
Police commissioner Tony Hogg admitted it was "a struggle" to maintain the number of frontline officers but stressed the proportion of officers in those roles remained at 93%.
He said there would be further scrutiny of the balance between those on the frontline and those in back offices.
"I'm very pleased to see that the HMIC has recognised the action already taken by Devon and Cornwall Police which has enabled it to take a firm grip on the challenges it faces," he said.
"It highlights that the force has made good progress and that it is in a much stronger place to manage further tough spending decisions.
"However, it's important we don't rest on our laurels and I will continue to discuss with the chief constable where further improvements can be made." Reported by This is 2 days ago.
Devon and Cornwall Police "may struggle to protect the frontline" in the face of further budget cuts, an official report has said.
The warning from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) was the only negative in an otherwise positive assessment which had last year said the force was "at risk of not delivering an efficient and effective police service".
HMIC said Devon and Cornwall, which needs to save £53.5 million in the four years from 2011 to 2015, had made "good progress in meeting its financial challenge" and had "developed a detailed change programme which will allow it to reduce costs while continuing to fight crime".
HM Inspector of Constabulary for the Wales and Western Region Dru Sharpling said: "Devon and Cornwall Police faces a significant challenge.
"It has lower than average funding and has had to make savings prior to the spending review.
"As a result it may struggle to protect the frontline compared with other forces. While overall crime levels are low, the force is challenged by a large geographic area to police and, as reported by the force, has significant increases in the population over the summer months, from 1.7 million to around 11 million.
"Last year, HMIC reported that the force was at risk of not delivering an efficient and effective police service to the public.
"Since then the force has taken a firmer grip on its change programme, altered structures that were not delivering for the public and improved performance."
Police commissioner Tony Hogg admitted it was "a struggle" to maintain the number of frontline officers but stressed the proportion of officers in those roles remained at 93%.
He said there would be further scrutiny of the balance between those on the frontline and those in back offices.
"I'm very pleased to see that the HMIC has recognised the action already taken by Devon and Cornwall Police which has enabled it to take a firm grip on the challenges it faces," he said.
"It highlights that the force has made good progress and that it is in a much stronger place to manage further tough spending decisions.
"However, it's important we don't rest on our laurels and I will continue to discuss with the chief constable where further improvements can be made." Reported by This is 2 days ago.