THE Government has promised to look into ways of stopping dozens of experienced police officers from leaving Hertfordshire Constabulary every year.

Home Office Minister John Denham met with the county's most senior officer last Tuesday to discuss how to maintain and boost police numbers.

But, to the disappointment of Chief Constable Paul Acres, he refused to fund an increased pay deal for officers in the county.

The news is a further blow for the constabulary which is already contemplating a £5million budget deficit following the latest round of proposed Government funding.

Mr Denham, however, said he would review other areas including subsidised housing and transport schemes in a bid to hold on to officers.

The announcement was made as police figures revealed that more than 1,350 officers have left the south east since April 1999.

Figures for Hertfordshire show the county has 1,923 officers, 127 below full strength.