Cumbria Police plans to recruit more community support officers

David Maclean, Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border, said he is worried that a scheme to save �2m is a move towards "policing on the cheap".

Cumbria Police said it was committed to community safety, but was looking at a small reduction in officer numbers.

A Police Federation spokesman said he was disappointed at the announcement.

As part of our review we are looking at a small reduction in the number of police officer posts in the constabulary Cumbria Chief Constable Michael Baxter

Mr Maclean told BBC News: "We need real coppers and real bobbies who can deal with car crime, who can pursue criminals on the motorway, who can actually deal with burglary, theft and violence.

"And on [Carlisle's] Botchergate on a Saturday night, PCSOs are not going to be adequate. You need real bobbies.

"I'd like Cumbria Police to tell us what will be the reduction in police officer strength in the next few years."

The force needs to deal with a �2.2m shortfall by 2010/11, in the face of increased threats from organised crime and terrorism.

Chief Constable Michael Baxter said: "To support that, by March the constabulary and partners will have completed investment in 105 PCSOs.

'Police staff'

"As part of our review we are looking at a small reduction in the number of police officer posts in the constabulary.

"This is more than offset by the increase in operational police staff posts in neighbourhood policing and protective services."

It was a chance to implement better ways of working with a more efficient mix of police officers and police staff, he added.

Andy Wilson, chair of Cumbria Police Federation, said: "The right people in the right functions are sworn police officers working 24/7 patrols, policing roads and investigating criminals who are active in our communities, not staff who have no police powers, who work within limited hours and with restricted flexibility."