Millions of pounds of spending cuts that will see almost 400 posts go at West Midlands Police will not stop it providing a top-level service to the public, the force’s most senior officer has vowed.

A funding shortfall of £134 million over the next four years means Chief Constable Chris Sims has been forced to take drastic measures to save money. Plans were agreed by police authority councillors last night to scrap hundreds of posts.

A total of 173 police officer and 217 police staff positions will go – some through compulsory redundancy – over the coming year as part of a drive to save £25m.

Mr Sims admitted tough decisions had been made. “We totally understand the whole public concern about cuts in policing,” he said.

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