DORSET Police face the loss of more than 300 staff as the force strives to make savings of £22.5million.

The budget cuts may also mean that the force forms a partnership with a neighbouring force.

A report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found that Dorset Police have made a ‘good start’ on making the savings over four years despite already spending less on policing per head of the population than most other forces.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “If the cuts continue past 2017, the chief constable and I will consider exploring a strategic alliance with another force pro-actively, in order to ensure a continuance of the excellent service that the people of Dorset receive.”

The report found the cuts to Dorset Police’s budget of £22.5million equates to 16 per cent of the force’s total spending.

Forces across England and Wales have been told to make an average saving of 17 per cent.

But the report, entitled Dorset Response to the Police Funding Challenge, stated that because of the lower numbers of |staff, Dorset Police has ‘less scope’ to make savings than other forces.

It also acknowledged that by the end of the spending review in 2015, Dorset Police will have 310 fewer staff – a decrease of 21 per cent and a greater cut than other forces.

It stated that the HMIC has ‘concerns’ that Dorset Police will not be able to maintain a high standard of police if future cuts lead to even more staff being lost without joining with another force.

But Mr Underhill said he was ‘disappointed’ in the report.

He said: “I am disappointed over the failing of this report to acknowledge sufficiently the huge funding challenge Dorset Police faces compared to other forces.

“I shall continue to fight this imbalance and seek to redress the unfairness.”

The force recently managed to recruit 12 new officers, who are in the process of training – the first since 2010 – but more pressure on resources is expected.

Mr Underhill pledged to protect frontline staff.

He said: “The chief constable and I are exploring the potential of releasing more officers to the frontline, for example, in the training department and in the call handing centres.

“We are both committed to pushing police officers to the frontline of policing.”

Mr Underhill added: “In summary, this report acknowledges the huge work being undertaken to meet the challenges of austerity inside the Dorset Force.

“The chief constable and I will not fail in delivering these changes, whilst continuing to meet the need to drive down crime.”

Mr Underhill has also been looking at sponsorship in some areas of the police to pull in |more cash and the force is also set to join a helicopter sharing scheme.