HAMPSHIRE police chiefs are to axe hundreds of officers and civilian staff in a shake-up that will change the face of the local force.

The constabulary needs to save up to £70m over the next four years because of Government cuts.

A letter to staff from the Chief Constable Alex Marshall, seen by the Daily Echo,warns of 1,400 job losses – 25 per cent of the workforce – to balance the books.

Police stations could close and officers forced to share buildings with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and councils.

Hampshire Police Federation, which represents frontline officers, has called the announcement a “sad blow to the principles of policing”.

In the letter Mr Marshall writes: “We will have fewer police officers, PCSOs and police staff.

“I know all our staff join the constabulary to do the best job they can and that the changes ahead will be difficult for everyone.

“This uncertainty is unsettling and there is a human story and personal consequence every time someone leaves.

“To get to the position where uncertainty is removed we must work to resolve the funding issue.”

Natural wastage, early retirements and voluntary redundancies will be made over the next two years – but there will also be compulsory job losses, he says.

Frontline teams will not escape the savage cuts. Under revieware key operational areas such as major crime, serious and organised crime, special branch, armed response, roads policing and dogs.

Areas where crime is lower will have fewer officers, including less bobbies on the beat.

Mr Marshall writes: “The reduction in support will mean that frontline staff will have to work differently.”

The wide-ranging cuts will shake up policing in the county, with police buildings sold off, cells shared and collaborating with Thames Valley Police – although there are no plans to merge entirely with that force where he was previous deputy chief constable.

Already the force has had to scrap plans for a brand new headquarters in Chandler’s Ford. Alpha Park, bought for £9.2m, is likely to be sold.

The force’s spotter plane, based in Lee-on-the-Solent, is also on the way out after it was agreed to merge the county’s air support unit with Surrey and Sussex forces.

In essence the proposals are to run the force on 74 per cent of its current annual budget of £250m.

It will be the equivalent of the Hampshire Police budget in 1997.

John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, said: “Since the budget was announced and the potential 25 per cent cut in public funding the police federation have feared that cuts will be dramatic. This latest news demonstrates that.

“It is a sad blow for the principles of policing. We will be making the strongest representations to the chief constable to ensure that police officers do not become extinct on the streets of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”