MERSEYSIDE’S Police Commissioner has warned that the impact of further cutbacks will leave the public “feeling the consequences”.

Jane Kennedy says the Government’s “reckless programme of cuts” will see Merseyside Police unable to deliver the same level of service residents expect and deserve.

The warning comes as Ms Kennedy publishes her second annual report, which details the work carried out over the last financial year and gives the public the chance to review and appraise her progress.

It explains how she was able to set a balanced budget for Merseyside Police with the delivery of £9.25m of savings by the force, a 2% increase in the council tax precept and by releasing £700,000 savings from her own office which were directly reinvested into frontline policing.

But Ms Kennedy said further cuts would have a serious and negative impact on the way services are delivered.

She said: “It must be made clear that we are fast approaching a tipping point. If the coalition government’s reckless programme of cuts continue with the speed and severity proposed Merseyside Police simply will not be able to deliver the same excellent level of service that people in our region expect and deserve.

“I fear that by 2018 Merseyside Police will have been forced to cut their workforce by 40% - a massive reduction in the strength and numbers of our police service.

“I cannot stress it strongly enough; if the government continues to force these cutbacks upon our police service, performance will be affected and people here on Merseyside will unfortunately feel the consequences.

"Our police service is comprised of people, men and women, police officers, PCSOs and staff who strive to do a magnificent job but they are being stretched to the limit.”