NORFOLK'S top police officer has moved to allay fears the force would have to make cuts as the credit crunch continues to bite. Chief Constable Ian McPherson said there was no chance of Norfolk Constabulary being “dangerously weakened” by having to make swingeing cuts in police officer numbers to save money - a position faced by others.

NORFOLK'S top police officer has moved to allay fears the force would have to make cuts as the credit crunch continues to bite.

Chief Constable Ian McPherson said there was no chance of Norfolk Constabulary being “dangerously weakened” by having to make swingeing cuts in police officer numbers to save money - a position faced by others.

He said the force's foresight in creating the Norfolk Policing Model, had meant the service was well-placed to face the challenges of the future.

Mr McPherson said: “Norfolk is bucking the trend nationally. Where other chief officers are axing police officer numbers to help balance the books, we are doing the exact opposite. We are investing for the future by re-directing the money saved from our modernisation programme to bolster uniform policing.”

A national survey carried out by The Times newspaper has revealed large numbers of police forces are planning to cut thousands of officers at a time when others are warning of increases in crime and disorder as the recession bites.

“We are putting more police resources where people tell us they want them - in their neighbourhoods. We've been able to do this by re-structuring the constabulary to remove unnecessary duplication and waste and re-organising to create a more efficient organisation that can deliver more local policing services.

“In straitened times, it is even more important that we build on good relationships with the public - our neighbourhood policing teams are the essential building blocks to doing just that,” said Mr McPherson.

Police Authority members supported a budget of �142.67m which will allow the force to maintain the current level of investment.