Devon and Cornwall Police could lose 500 officers

A senior Devon and Cornwall officer said the annual budget of £284m was expected to be cut by £54m

Devon and Cornwall Police is preparing to lose another 500 officers due to budget cuts, the BBC has learned.

The force, which covers the largest geographical police area in England, would see numbers reduced to 2,500 - down from 3,500 in 2010.

A further 200 Community Support Officers and 150 civilian support staff roles could also be axed.

The Home Office said forces should be able to "balance their books" while maintaining front-line services.

A senior Devon and Cornwall officer said the annual budget of £284m was expected to be cut by £54m.

Neighbourhood policing was "gravely threatened", said the source, who expressed "serious concerns about the future of policing".

"It will fundamentally change the style of policing from what the public expect," they said.

"We don't want to be reduced to a flashing blue light, 999 service, but that's the reality of what could be coming."

Analysis: Simon Hall, South West Home Affairs Correspondent

Surveys repeatedly say the public want to see police on the beat as a fundamental part of their neighbourhoods, and that's exactly what is threatened by these potential cuts.

The fear amongst senior officers is that they will leave the police more distant and detached from the communities they serve.

And that goes against the traditions of decades of policing in Devon and Cornwall.

The BBC understands scenarios involving £29m and £70m of cuts are also being proposed.

Any job cuts would be implemented over the next five years.

Officer numbers were reduced from 3,500 to 3,000 this year as a result of £50m of cuts in the first wave of austerity.

A Home Office spokesman said there was "no question" police forces would have the necessary resources.

The spokesman said: "Forces can successfully balance their books while protecting the front line and delivering reductions in crime."

Devon and Cornwall Police will shortly begin a public consultation on what areas of policing should be cut.

The details of the force's spending reductions will be revealed in the days after the Comprehensive Spending Review at the end of November.