Kent Police job cuts 'on target' says chief constable

Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said the savings plans for Kent Police were "exactly on target"

Nearly 200 police officers and over 300 support staff have been axed by Kent Police since it revealed 15 months ago it had to save £50m over four years.

In July 2010 it said it would need to reduce its headcount by 500 police officer posts and 1,000 civilian support staff to make 20% savings.

Chief Constable Ian Learmonth has told the Kent Police Authority the savings plans are "exactly on target".

The force has to date lost 191 police officer posts and 301 staff posts.

Kent Police said frontline policing was being protected in spite of the cuts.

"We are confident that Kent will continue to be one of the safest places to live in the UK, with a police force the people of Kent can rely on and be proud of," it said.