POLICE and crime commissioner for Cheshire David Keane is calling on the public to have their say on the future of the force.

Although the provisional settlement for Cheshire Police for 2018 to 2019 has yet to be released, Mr Keane has called on the people of Cheshire to voice their opinions on two potential options for policing.

This includes a reduction of 80 frontline officers and PCSOs or increasing the funding the force receives through the precept by around 18p per week for the average home.

Mr Keane said: “We want to be able to deliver a strong, visible and efficient force capable of managing current crime and emerging threats to our safety.

“Unfortunately if the Government does not give Cheshire Police a fair funding settlement, then, to put it bluntly, the thin blue line in our region could be stretched to breaking point and we will be forced to lose as many as 80 officers on our frontline or increase the precept.”

A flat cash settlement from the Government could mean that, over the next three years, Cheshire Police will need to find further savings of at least £13 million - around £4 million in year one, £5 million in year two and at least a further £ 4million in year three.

Mr Keane added: “The constabulary has done an incredible job to find the savings it has by improving processes, finding efficiencies through stronger collaboration and by streamlining the estate to generate long-term savings.

“However, it has now exhausted nearly all of its options for efficiency savings."

A consultation will take place between December 28 and January 24.

People and businesses across Cheshire are being invited to give an indication whether they would be prepared to support a five per cent increase in the precept, rather than the 3 per cent maximum currently allowed by Government.

To have your say visit cheshire-pcc.gov.uk.