CRIME in Dorset will increase and the public will get a poor service from the police as a result of ‘criminal’ government cuts, officers are warning.

Morale has already fallen among the county’s force due to the prospect of a 20 per cent drop in government funding and police leaders are calling for a U-turn by MPs ‘before it’s too late’.

A survey published by the Police Federation today shows that 88 per cent of Dorset’s rank and file officers believe the budget cuts will have ‘a detrimental effect on crime levels’.

Clive Chamberlain, chairman of the federation in Dorset, pictured below warned that a ‘phenomenal’ 99 per cent said morale has fallen and an ‘astonishing’ 90 per cent believe there will be a decline in service.

And he said this is in stark contrast to government views that savings can be made without affecting crime.

He said: “The message from police officers in Dorset 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 Dorset.”

So far it has been announced that 248 jobs are expected to go in Dorset by March next year to save £18million over the next four years.

Due to a higher proportion of funding coming from council tax the 20 per cent government drop in funding until 2014 equates to around 15 percent for Dorset.

The latest figures revealed a reduction of £6.3million from the figure reported to the authority in December.

The budget of £120,461,000 for 2011/12 provides for 1,344 police officers, a drop of 103 officers from levels at the start of this year.

This also funds 914 police staff, a reduction of 145.

Chief Constable Martin Baker has warned that the ‘worst case scenario’ would mean losing 530 staff by 2015 – 20 per cent of the workforce.

Mr Chamber-lain said the Police Federation accepts policing must be part of the public sector cuts but wants a Royal Commission to be set up to oversee those changes.

He said: “Cuts of this magnitude are criminal and despite the very best efforts of rank and file police officers they will undoubtedly lead to a poorer service for the residents and businesses in Dorset.

“That is why it is imperative that those who live and work in Dorset make it clear to our local politicians that a cut of this magnitude to the police budget needs to be urgently reconsidered by national government before it is too late and we all suffer the unintended consequences of their actions.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales is a staff association for all police constables, sergeants and inspectors. Their survey gained a 30 percent response rate.

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 of police pay and conditions was published.

The Police Federation said the changes could see officers £4,000 worse off.