The force is blaming the increasing threat of organised crime and terrorism for the shake-up.

To off-set any losses the force is planning to take on 105 police community support officers (PCSOs) to work alongside other staff.

It also said that by 2011 the force would be larger overall, employing an extra 40 general police staff.

Cross-border threats

A statement from the force said: "Cumbria is one of the safest places in the country, but it is not immune to the growing threats from serious crime, organised crime and terrorism.

"Over the next four years the constabulary will be reshaped to maintain and improve neighbourhood policing and provide effective protective services."

He said: "Protecting the communities of Cumbria will be one of the key focuses as the constabulary embarks on a major restructuring programme."

The restructuring will also focus on setting up specialist policing services to tackle cross-border criminal threats.

Michael Baxter, Chief Constable, added: "We will be reviewing the number of police officer posts in the constabulary, and there may be a small reduction from each area and elsewhere in the organisation.

"These changes and developments will give us the capacity to meet the evolving challenges of modern day criminality as well as further building our commitment to the protecting the neighbourhoods of Cumbria."