HAMPSHIRE’S new crime chief says he will “fight” to make sure the county’s police have enough funding, but admitted more savings could be made.

Michael Lane was speaking as he began his new job as the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), after he was elected last week.

The Conservative beat incumbent Simon Hayes in the race to the job, and said Hampshire Constabulary must adapt to the changing face of crime in the county.

The former navy commodore and Gosport councillor secured 153,990 votes to land the job, which comes with responsibility for the £300m budget for fighting crime.

Starting today, he will work alongside Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney, who is herself new to the force having been appointed to replace Andy Marsh in March. He said the force was likely to face more budgetary pressures over the next four years, as well as the “pressure of change”, adding: “Criminals and technology are changing and the nature of how communities engage with us is changing”.

Since 2012 the county has lost 1,000 officers while 33 police stations will have closed or been sold off by 2018 as £80m of savings are made.

When asked if he could reassure residents about any future job losses or station closures as a result of funding cuts, he said he had “much in common” with Home Secretary Theresa May, but added: “If at some point we need to disagree I will have a robust conversation.

“In due time if the resources are sufficient and we can make economies of course I will, and if the resources are insufficient and we need more I will fight for it.

“My starting point is to make sure that we are as effective and efficient as possible.

Beyond saying his number one priority was “to keep us all safer”, Mr Lane said he could not give specific priorities at such an early stage.

As previously reported, Ms May is expected to announce an expansion of the powers wielded by PCCs, which could see them take on youth justice, probation and court services.

When asked if he supported extra powers he said: “My first responsibility is to be excellent in delivering for the people of Hampshire the role of PCC.

“Whether the Government negotiates or dictates that there are changes that will be part of my job to respond to those with the core priority which is keeping people safe.”

When asked how he would tackle drug-related crime in Southampton, a key focus of police operations in the city, he said: “I know it’s an issue, I expect to be briefed in greater detail about that.”