The target is to have 3,500 officers across the two counties

The police authority's part of the council tax rose by 39% in this financial year, to help pay for the rise in the number of officers.

But Jill Owen, chairwoman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority (DCPA) said she expected next year's central government contribution to increase only in line with inflation, which will leave a funding gap because of other costs.

That, she says, would mean a halt to recruitment and another 25% rise next year just to keep the budget standing still.

Strike a balance

The DCPA, and the chief constable, want to bring the number of police officers in the force area up to 3,500.

Currently the figure is less than 200 short of that number.

Ms Owen said: "Where we pitch the increase is going to be very difficult. Putting it up as much as we did last year would be unacceptable.

"We want to improve service provision to the public, but we have to balance that against people's ability to pay.

"We are at an early stage and I very much hope we are not talking about cuts, but we could look at a slowing down of our service expansion.

"It costs a lot to employ new officers and we may have to slow down that increase.

"It would be with great regret that we would do that, but we have to strike a balance."

Ms Owen has met the Exeter MP, Ben Bradshaw to discuss the issue.

She is also planning to speak to Home Office Minister Hazel Blears to put the case for more government funding for the South West.