MAJOR doubts have been casts over the sate of policing due to sustained reductions in Government funding.

In Thames Valley, council tax payers have picked up the bill for policing, with the contribution increasing by 18 per cent to £162 million between 2015-16 and 2018-19.

Figures from the Home Office show that funding for Thames Valley Police (TVP) was cut by two per cent, although the real figure may be worse when inflation is taken into account.

Officers have already had to cope with a £99m cut to the budget over the last seven years, leading to concerns about single patrols and a rise in assaults.

Chief Constable Francis Habgood said: “We need to find and will find savings of about £15 million over the next three years. TVP already has a great track record in improving efficiency.

“We will always be required to make tough decisions about how best to shape our organisation."

The force has lost more than 1,000 frontline officers over the last three years, while violent crime has increased in the area.

The number of violent crimes recorded in Thames Valley increased by 59 per cent. In the 12 months to March this year, 34,482 violent crimes were recorded.

Concerns have been raised in a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) about the financial sustainability of policing across England and Wales.

Sir Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, added: "There are signs that forces are already experiencing financial strain and struggling to deliver effective services to the public.

"If the Home Office does not understand what is going on it will not be able to direct resources to where they are needed, with the risk that the situation could get worse."

A Home Office spokesman denied the report’s suggestion that ministers do not understand the effects of police cuts.

They added: "We remain committed to working closely with police and delivered a £460 million increase in overall police funding in 2018/19, including increased funding for local policing through council tax."