POLICE officers and staff have been warned that up to 1,500 jobs could be axed due to government cutbacks.

Kent police is expecting a cut to its budget of 20 per cent, which is around £53m over the next four years, when the government announces the results of its spending review at the end of October.

Chief Constable Ian Learmonth says this could lead to the loss of 1,000 civilian and 500 police posts, but he says he hopes most of these will come through natural wastage and retirement.

He said: "Clearly this is a very sensitive area for everyone and we must never lose sight of the fact we are dealing with peoples' jobs and peoples' lives.”

He added: "We are working on a new policing model that safeguards the frontline and focuses on cutting crime and reducing risk and harm to the public.

“A number of possible structures and options are being considered and work is still underway.

“Once we have the Comprehensive Spending Review results in October we can finalise plans around a new model for the force and go forward into 2011 with some level of certainty."

Mr Learmonth says the challenges facing police forces across the country are “unprecedented” in his 36 years of service, but he said he is “determined” Kent police will maintain its standards.

He said: “I am determined whatever changes are made we will continue to deliver the same quality service and maintain the fall in crime that Kent has recorded over a number of years.”