POLICE chiefs in Teignbridge are anxious to reassure residents that serious crime will always be investigated after stark warnings about cuts in officer numbers.

Despite the announcement that the controversial funding formula has been put on hold, the force is still looking at making substantial cuts.

Staff numbers will be slashed and Teignbridge will not escape.

Currently, the exact numbers for the district are not known but senior officers are already looking at ways to cope with the possible impact at a local level.

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer has admitted the level of cuts will have a ‘significant impact’ on policing.

However, officers in charge of policing in Teignbridge are keen to get the message across that staffing reductions will not affect the way serious crimes are handled.

In the wake of several high-profile attacks and incidents, sector inspector Adrian Woon said: ‘I want to reassure Teignbridge residents that we will always investigate serious crime.

‘Whatever cuts we have to make, we will always be here to protect the vulnerable and the elderly.

‘Our resources whatever they end up being, will be focused on working to solve serious crimes, whether it is sexual offences, burglaries or assaults on individuals.

‘Vulnerable victims will remain a priority for us and we will continue to focus our resources on those key individuals.’

He said the cuts on the budget year on year were still ‘significant’ and work was ongoing to look at ways to cope in the future.

Police and crime commissioner Tony Hogg said he was ‘delighted’ the policing minister withdrew the Home Office review into the police funding formula.

Mr Hogg had highlighted the ‘unfair’ way the budgets were worked out.

He said: ‘The funding formula was descending into chaos and the government’s decision to delay is the right one.

‘We stand ready to work with ministers to create a formula that accurately reflects policing demand.

‘For Devon and Cornwall that means one which will reflect the demands created by being a large rural force with large tourist numbers.’

It is still unclear what the next stages in the review will be.