POLICE officers in Dorset fear crime will rise when planned budget cuts come into play over the next four years.

An online survey carried out by the Police Federation shows a staggering number of officers in Dorset believe the government cuts of 20 per cent and a reduction in police numbers, will have an adverse effect on crime levels.

Chairman of Dorset Police Federation, Clive Chamberlain, said 724 people out of approximately 1,300 – around 60 per cent of their membership – had responded to the survey, well above the national average of 30 per cent.

In Dorset, 99 per cent of officers think morale has fallen as a result of the potential changes.

Eighty-eight per cent believe cutting police officer numbers will lead to crime levels rising, with 75 per cent saying their workload has already increased.

The survey also shows that 90 per cent of police officers believe there will be a decline in service delivery.

And there are fears some could lose up to £4,000 a year, 92 per cent of Dorset officers think these changes could lead to some colleagues leaving the service due to financial difficulties.

Clive Chamberlain, chairman of Dorset Police Federation, described the cuts as ‘criminal’.

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.

“The Federation is not opposed to change and accept that policing must play its part in public sector cuts.

“But the Home Secretary and police minister seem to be permanently on send rather than receive when it comes to us. “ The views in the survey will echo concerns likely to be put to home secretary Theresa May and police minister Nick Herbert at the annual Police Federation Conference at the BIC from tomorrow.