TAXPAYERS should no longer expect a "bobby on every corner", Wiltshire police commissioner has said.

His comments came as 20 new police officers started training at the county force. A further 40 students were expected in October.

Writing on his website, Angus Macpherson, police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire, said: "I understand that people want to see more officers on their streets and more will be available once our new recruits are ready. More will be added to our community policing teams and we are also on track to have additional community co-ordinators in post across the county by July to focus on improved visibility and community engagement.

"But we also have to be realistic - Wiltshire is the worst centrally funded Force in the country, so we have to be clever with how we spend our money. We have to do the best with what we've got which means that people won't ever see the level of policing that they unrealistically expect in this day and age; gone of the days of a bobby on every corner."