Thames Valley Police has been urged by the police union the Police Federation not to cut officer numbers in the wake of a Government demand to shave £3.7m from the force’s budget.

The Home Office has told police forces across the country they need to find savings.

Thames Valley Chief Constable Sara Thornton said: “The reduction for Thames Valley Police amounts to £3.4m revenue and £0.3m capital, which is equivalent to one per cent of our total annual budget.

“The force will be working hard to identify in-year savings in the areas highlighted by the Government, including overtime, travel costs, consultancy and other support costs.

“The Home Office has asked that we protect frontline services and I will do everything I can to ensure that this is the case in Thames Valley.”

A spokesman for the force said it was impossible to say at this stage where the axe would fall in terms of jobs or geographical areas.

Mrs Thornton said she would be putting detailed proposals to the Thames Valley Police Authority on Friday, June 25.

John Grant, chairman of the Police Federation, said: “In simple terms, our concerns are that police numbers are not cut.

“There are areas of bureaucracy and administration in the service which could be targeted.”

He said he believed the proposed cuts were realistic and could be achieved without an impact on frontline staff.

Mr Grant said: “Thames Valley Police needs to have a good look at those support functions and establish what benefit they bring to frontline policing. If they don’t bring a benefit, then questions have to be raised as to why they are there.”