Thames Valley Police’s top cop has told city leaders she cannot guarantee the fight against crime will not be harmed by the cuts she has to make.

But Chief Constable Sara Thornton reassured councillors that “boots on the ground” will not drop, despite cuts to the police budget.

Ms Thornton was addressing the city council as part of her annual update on policing in Oxford.

Last night, the force would not reveal how many officers are working in Oxford for “operational reasons”.

But Government figures released earlier this month showed almost 88 per cent of officers and Pcsos in the Thames Valley were “invisible” to the public at three busy times in one day – which is in line with the UK national average.

Councillors quizzed Ms Thornton on the impact of cuts, neighbourhood policing and road safety.

Saj Malik, executive board member for community safety, said he was reassured by what she had to say but he still had concerns about the impact of cuts on crime levels.

Ms Thornton said although the police budget had been cut by six per cent over the next four years, that represented a 20 per cent reduction in real terms – roughly £52m.

Figures released last week revealed violent offences rose by 26 per cent in Oxford from 2009/10 to 2010/11, but the overall level of crime had dropped two per cent.

Asked if she could guarantee the fight against crime would not be harmed by the cuts, Ms Thornton said: “We’re doing everything we can to make sure the crime reduction we have had in Oxford city is maintained, that is all I can promise people. I cannot predict the future.”

Earlier this year, TVP revealed 114 policing jobs and 156 other staff posts would be lost, with 800 jobs going over four years.

“Despite that cut, the number of officers on patrol and in neighbourhood teams will not be reduced,” she said.

“That visible police presence is something we need to be strongly committed to.”

Police last night said they could not reveal how the cuts, or what proportion of them, would affect Oxfordshire.

Ms Thornton said savings had been made through cutting a layer of management, combining with Hampshire Police on specialist services such as firearms officers, and reviewing procedures.

She also raised concerns that cuts being made by councils across the Thames Valley would also impact on community safety.

Although she didn’t specify what they were, cuts are being made to youth centres and street wardens.Speaking at the meeting on Monday, she added: “There’s a role for everybody there, it is not just about what the council can do.”

Mr Malik said he would be monitoring the situation closely.

“I am worried about the impact of the cuts but I think we have a good partnership with police,” he said.

“It is good to be assured for now, but we have to stay concerned about the future.”

In October, Police and Criminal Justice Minister Nick Herbert vowed crime could continue to fall despite a cut in front-line police numbers.

However, a grandfather who had £2,100 taken from his bank account after his wallet was stolen has urged police to protect front-line numbers.

Thieves struck after Bryan Price, 65, left his coat on the back of his chair while he ate lunch with his wife Susan at the Four Candles pub in George Street, Oxford, in February. No arrests have yet been made.

Last night Mr Price, of Aldrich Road, Cutteslowe, Oxford, said: “Police were brilliant when they dealt with the case. They were so helpful and diligent, and kept in regular contact with me.

“That is why I think it is so important to make sure numbers are kept on the front line.

“You hope that other victims of crime will also have access to the same level of police service as I did.”

Thames Valley Police Authority spent almost £96,000 on a leaflet which told residents how it was doing.

Figures released yesterday by campaign group the Taxpayers’ Alliance revealed the authority spent more than any other force in Britain on the document.

Some areas, including Lincolnshire, spent less than £6,000 on summaries by including them in council tax leaflets.

Last night, the authority defended the figure, claiming it had a “statutory requirement” to publish the information.

Matthew Sinclair, director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Lots of police authorities already publish summaries online, costing taxpayers next to nothing. Police authorities up and down the country need to make savings.”

Authority spokesman Holly Smith said: “The authority has reviewed the format and means of delivery of this year’s summary and has reduced the budget for this publication.”