POLICE have warned of ‘devastating consequences’ if more cuts are made to the front line.

Lancashire Police Federation said crime would increase as a result of Government reductions to the budget.

The county’s constabulary is axing 500 police officers and 300 staff as well as making cuts to a range of departments, including the front line, as it has reduces its spending by £42million over the next four years.

Police Federation chairman John O’Reilly said: “We will see an immediate impact.

“The force is already 300 officers down because of a freeze on recruitment over the past two years.

“We are extremely worried that if we take out another 200 it will seriously affect frontline policing.

"And that could have devastating consequences.”

The federation, which represents rank and file officers, has launched a countywide campaign to oppose the level of government cuts insisting they are too deep and are bound to put the public at risk.

Coalition ministers, and Lancashire’s Conservative MPs, have hit back, saying savings can be found without reducing the front line.

But Mr O’Reilly said the 20 per cent cut was the equivalent of removing every police officer in the Eastern Division, which covers Blackburn, Accrington, Darwen, Clitheroe, Longridge and Great Harwood.

He said: “We fear for the safety of the public in Lancashire because we won’t be able to do the job as it should be done.

“The public are going to be very surprised when they realise the effects these cutbacks will have.”