A SURVEY published today reveals that police in Cambridgeshire fear government cuts will result in poor public service and increased crime.

Results show that police officers in the county believe the government cut of 20 percent of the police budget over the next four years will have a detrimental effect on crime levels. They also believe a reduction in police officer numbers will result in the public getting a poorer service.

Ninety-nine per cent of police officers from Cambs who responsded to the online survery said that morale has fallen due to planned police budget cuts. An incredible 83 per cent of officers also believed that crime levels would be negatively affected by having less officers on the beat.

As a result, 77 per cent believed their workload will, or has, already increased and 85 per cent think the public will get a poor service due to planned budget cuts.

The 20 per cent budget cut to policing was announced by the government at the same time that changes to pensions were announced by Lord Hutton and the Winsor Review. If implemented, the review could see some offices up for �4,000 worse off.

Nearly 90 per cent of officers in the county believe that many will now have to leave the service due to financial difficulties.

Shaun Ryan, chairman of Cambridgeshire Police Federation, said: “The message from police officers in Cambridgeshire is loud and clear.

“They feel they are being hit from all sides by this government who, in addition to attacking their terms and conditions, are imposing a 20 per cent cut on the service which will undoubtedly lead to increased levels of crime and a poorer service for the public in Cambridgeshire.

“The Federation is not opposed to change and accept that policing must play its part in public sector cuts. However, if this government truly believes in considered and informed change for the better then they should have the courage of their convictions and establish a Royal Commission on policing.

“Cuts of this magnitude are criminal and, despite the very best efforts of ranks and file police officers, will undoubtedly lead to a poorer service for the residents and businesses in Cambridgeshire.”