WHEN I was a boy I used to listen to the Laughing Policeman. He’s not laughing now.

Our thin blue line is about to become thinner as cuts bite like a butcher’s bull terrier into the budgets of Dorset and Hampshire Police.

I feel sorry for the police chiefs announcing the grim news. Dorset’s Chief Constable tried to soften the pain by pointing out that crime is at a 13-year low, which is excellent. But will it be at a 14-year low when the cuts tear a chunk out of the blue serge trouser seat of their capability?

How embarrassing for Dorset to be even considering the possibility of having a snap at the Marine Section when the county is hosting the Olympic sailing events next year.

And all you can say about the option of putting the choppers on the county police chopper is that it will put a smile on the faces of criminals.

But Dorset’s problems – where two police stations could close – are overshadowed by those of Hampshire Police who are set to shut 18.

Dorset’s Chief Constable reports, with brutal frankness, that: “We cannot retain all of our critical services.” Ouch. A policeman’s lot may not be a happy one but neither will be the public’s when they feel the sharp end of these cuts.

Public confidence is brittle. The key question is, how far will the cuts hinder effective policing?

When the measures crunch will the cuts in budgets affect the cutting of crime?

(And, talking of shortcuts, remember when Insp Morse, investigating a serious crime, asks Sgt Lewis: “Is there a butler?”

Lewis replies: “I didn’t see one.”

“Pity,” ruminates Morse. “That would have saved a lot of work.”)