SAVAGE cuts will see Dorset Police lose 21 per cent of its officers – more than twice the national average – as crime rises.

Numbers will be slashed by 310 despite the force being one of the few with a rising crime rate.

And a further 270 staff and Police Community Support Officers will be cut to ensure the force saves £20million between March 2011 and March 2015.

There are also plans to close eight front counters across the county.

A report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) revealed 5,800 officer posts will be lost across England and Wales but Dorset is losing a higher proportion than most others.

The report also showed crime in the county went up two per cent in the year to December 2011, compared with an average three per cent fall. Crime figures rose in just 11 of the 43 police forces areas in England and Wales.

Victim-based crime went up three per cent, robbery eight per cent and burglary two per cent.

The report, Policing in Austerity: One Year On, reveals plans for officers in Dorset to spend 70 per cent of their time on the frontline from 2015 compared to 66 per cent now.

Nationally, the target is 74 per cent, compared with 67.

Assistant Chief Constable, Operations, of Dorset, James Vaughan, said Dorset Police receives one of the lowest financial settlements in the country and said the force had already made drastic cuts before more were introduced across the board across England and Wales.

He said latest figures for the year ending April 2012 reveal crime has fallen by two-and-a-half per cent and he said crime levels are now at a 14-year low.

He described the increase in crime for the year ending December 2011 as a “blip.”

Mr Vaughan added that any front counters that have been closed or had their hours reduced have been replaced by other facilities in the community.

HMIC western region inspector Dru Sharpling said Dorset Police has a good record of reducing costs and is in a good position to meet savings targets by 2015.

“Dorset Police’s plans include a significant reduction in police officer posts by 2015” she said. “As it makes these reductions the force should look for opportunities to increase the proportion of staff and officers in frontline, crime-fighting roles.

“This will help them to focus on reducing crime and making its communities feel safe.”

CHIEF Constable of Dorset Martin Baker warned the government against further spending cuts earlier this year when Dorset Police Authority voted the freeze the policing precept of Dorset’s council tax and accept a one-off government grants.

He said: “There seems to be a perception that nothing goes on in Dorset. The public will realise that’s simply not the case.

“This may be a very safe place to live but that’s because we keep it that way – it’s not by accident.”

He asked for national funding arrangements to be reviewed to “ensure that Dorset gets its fair share of national resources.”