HUNDREDS of jobs at Wiltshire Police could be at risk when a fresh wave of Government cuts are announced next month, the Police Federation has warned.

The force has already been issued £16.8m in funding cuts over the past four years, with officer numbers slashed by 153 since 2010. A further £10m of savings are projected over the coming three years, with the federation saying that could mean 300 additional jobs at risk.

The Federation fears any increase in savings in next month's spending review could cripple the force and make protection on the frontline impossible.

"We cannot keep doing more with less," said Mike White, chairman of the Wiltshire Police Federation.

"If the current comprehensive spending review seeks a larger saving, which many think it may, it is likely that Wiltshire Police will no longer be viable.

"At the moment our reactive capability and neighbourhood teams have been protected from these cuts but with a possibility of having to cut another 300 members of staff, to meet £10m in savings, continued protection of the frontline will prove impossible.

"Unfortunately it will prove even more challenging to reduce the workload. It simply is not possible to keep expecting officers to deal with ever increasing workloads."

Mr White said efficiency savings already made had allowed the force to work smarter, but the thin blue line has now been stretched too far.

"The reason we are one of the most efficient forces in the country is that we had reduced police officer numbers prior to 2010," he said. "Ten years ago Wiltshire Police had 1,290 police officers. Officially we now have just over 1,000.

"We have stripped out a lot of our inefficiencies. We have no option now but to reduce bureaucracy and carry greater risk. We now have to reduce our visibility and engagement which we introduced to increase public confidence and re-assure the public, removing these activities risks reducing public confidence in the police.

"Officers at the front line of policing are already cutting corners in our own processes. They are doing this not because they are unprofessional or lazy but because they need to to allow them to do the things that are most important."

Chief Constable Mike Veale was not available for comment but Wiltshire Police released the following statement on his behalf.

"It is no secret that Wiltshire Police, as well as all other forces across the country, has faced incredibly difficult times with budget reductions year on year since 2010, with further savings requirements ahead," he said. "It is not possible to deliver the same service in exactly the same way, when significant cuts are required.

"I know that my officers and staff do a fantastic job under difficult circumstances.

"Crime is constantly changing and criminals are becoming more sophisticated, therefore we are responding to these changes and will continue to do so, despite the Government's austerity measures.

"There will be extremely difficult and challenging times ahead, but I think it is important to recognise that austerity has not only provided the force with challenges, but also opportunities to reduce bureaucracy, improve leadership, maximise technology, increase and improve efficiency and help modernise our service.

"When we receive the review in November, I will need to look very carefully and advise the Commissioner on how our service delivery could be impacted."

Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson wants said he wants to focus on the positive way the force is rising to the challenge of making cuts.

He said: "There is no doubt that the government’s austerity measures have presented Wiltshire Police with a big challenge. It is also the case that further significant savings will have to be found over the next three years," he said.

"We are embracing new ways of working with technology that lets our officers spend more time in the communities they serve and much less time in police stations.

“I am very hopeful that the community policing pilot currently underway in the Trowbridge and Warminster area will lead to an improvement in the quality of service to our public.

“We are also working closely with our council partners in Wiltshire and Swindon to share buildings, improve customer service and reduce costs.

“A wider alliance with Avon & Somerset Constabulary will build on the excellent collaborative work we have been doing with neighbouring forces.

“Our officers are working smarter and continuing to keep the communities of Wiltshire and Swindon safe.”