MERSEYSIDE Police could be forced reduce the number of officers dedicated to investigating sex offences and hate crime as part of “savage” cuts by the Government.

PCSO jobs are also at risk, as is the mounted section and basic command unit structure that has been in place for 40 years.

The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy hit out at plans to slash another £48m – on top of the £77m savings the force has already made since 2010.

In an open letter today, Ms Kennedy said it is with “great disappointment” that she announces the “drastic measures” she says are being considered due to having “nowhere else to turn”.

In an open letter today, Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said it is with “great disappointment” that she announces the “drastic measures” she says are being considered due to having “nowhere else to turn”.

Ms Kennedy anticipates the situation will “get even worse” when the Government announces its Comprehensive Spending Review in November.

“The Government's policy of austerity has already caused cuts to every area of the police service, requiring more and more to be done by fewer and fewer people. It is no longer possible to avoid fundamentally changing the way the police service is delivered at the frontline.

“The cuts now being considered are harmful to the wellbeing of the communities of Merseyside. But even if all PCSO posts were cut during 2016, the mounted section disbanded and the basic command structure dissolved we would still have to cut a further £28 million by 2018/19.”

The commissioner said every team within the force is facing cuts, including the teams of officers and staff who investigate sex offences, hate crimes and the Matrix teams who combat serious and organised crime.

“Having spent my entire career working to build stronger and safer communities I am personally appalled that I am in a position where I am forced to make such cruel and damaging decisions, which will inevitably have serious repercussions for the people of Merseyside,” said Ms Kennedy.

“In spite of this incredibly depressing picture I can assure you that both the Chief Constable and I will do everything in our power to deliver the best possible police service we can with the resources we have available.”

In a Commons debate on Monday, policing minister Mike Penning accused PCCs of “scaremongering”.

He said: “I fully understand different PCCs trying to negotiate a position, but scaremongering is not the best way forward. I will come back with further ideas—that is what the consultation is all about, and that is what I promised I would do when I started it.”