The thin blue line could be even thinner in future as Devon and Cornwall Police face a further budget squeeze.

The estimate is that the force will have to save £30m over the next four years, on top of the £51million the force already needs to save.

Cuts in government funding have already seen the force lose hundreds of officers.

The information comes from BBC South West Home Affairs Correspondent Simon Hall and came from by senior police sources, however the force has not commented ahead of a funding announcement, expected next week.