Eighty four percent of police in Devon and Cornwall believe government cuts will lead to rising crime levels.

A survey published today also found that officers believe the public will get a poorer service as a result of the cuts. 

Devon and Cornwall police are to make 50 million pounds worth of cuts over the next four years - and 99 percent of the respondents said morale had fallen following that announcement.

700 officer and 500 civilian posts are to go in Devon and Cornwall, although that includes some compulsory retirements.

Some of those cuts have already been made.

More than three quarters of those who responded to the survey said their work load has increased as a result of that, or will increase in the future.

In the past, chief constable Steven Otter has said he's confident Devon and Cornwall can maintain their position as the third safest place to live in the country but police officers are not convinced.