The loss of nearly 300 jobs at West Mercia Police would be “devastating” and could lead to more cuts on front line police posts in the future, it was claimed today.

Andy White, chairman of the West Mercia Police Federation, said the loss of the 98 police officer posts and 189 civilian staff would put the officers and staff left behind under more pressure and with more work.

West Mercia Police chiefs announced the cuts yesterday in a bid to save up to £10 million over the next three years.

Force bosses said it would improve services and save money but said the number of bobbies on the beat would not be affected.

Mr White said: “From our point of view, any cuts from police posts is not a welcome thing.

“We have been trying to build up West Mercia over the last several years to a good number of officers on the beat and on the front line.”

He added: “While it’s a loss of 90 odd police officer posts, it’s only going to be by natural waste.”

He said this would be through retirements, resignations and it would also mean stopping recruitment.

A main cause for concern was while these police office job cuts had already been identified, the Government’s forthcoming comprehensive spending review has not been taken into account.

“So there is likely to be further cuts on the budget that are likely to impinge on front line police posts.”

David Wright, Telford MP, said: “These are devastating cuts. Police officers are frontline public servants and as people retire or take redundancy we need them to be replaced,” he said.

“The Conservatives promised to protect frontline police officers and they have broken that promise,” Mr Wright said.

Cabinet minister and North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson said: “I am pleased that West Mercia believes it can continue to deliver its excellent service more efficiently We cannot go on borrowing as much as we are. We have got to get down Labour’s debts. These are Labour’s cuts.”

Daniel Kawczynski, Shrewsbury MP said: “In Shropshire we have less police per head of population than in other parts of the West Mercia region, so clearly these cuts should be focused in other areas. This is something I will be highlighting to ministers.

Tory MP Philip Dunne added: ” I have been assured that these plans and management restructuring should protect front-line policing.”

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman