Kent police have a massive fight on their hands which could involve the disappearance of millions of pounds. But it has nothing to do with crime.

The Force fears the money will disappear from its budget as the Government slashes public spending as part of a nationwide economy drive.

But chief constable Mike Fuller believes that Kent is in a strong enough position to protect "front line" services from any cuts.

He told a Kent media briefing he hoped this could be achieved by lean management and more innovative thinking of the kind that has already got more officers out of "back offices" and on to the streets.

Although he was unable to predict what kind of budget cuts could be looming, Mr Fuller expected the police to face "huge financial challenges".

Kent had financial stability until 2011 because the budget was fixed until then. Considerable savings had already been made and would continue to be made. Unlike some police forces, Kent had not borrowed money.

A "strategic alliance" with Essex police was saving millions of pounds for both forces by sharing resources, such as a helicopter and automatic number plate recognition equipment, combining officers to combat serious and organised crime and using joint purchasing power to buy such things as uniforms at reduced costs.

Mr Fuller quoted a pilot project that had enabled 50 officers to be put on the streets who would otherwise have been in "back office" functions.

And he said that in the last two years the number of Neighbourhood Task Teams - which target antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and nuisance in "hot spot" areas - had risen from two to 14 across the county and were helping to improve public confidence.

Recent statistics show that all crime in the county reduced by 15.6 per cent over the seven months between April and October - that's almost 11,500 fewer offences than the same period in 2008. Criminal damage and vehicle crime were both down by more than 22 per cent.

In the same period the number of crimes detected went up by more than four per cent to 36 per cent.

The figures reflected what Mr Fuller described as a "step change" in policing methods in the five years he has been chief constable, one that has put the onus on quality of service rather than judging performance on statistics, such as the number of arrests.

However Mr Fuller may not be around to drive through many more innovations. The briefing was, by coincidence, held a few days after it was announced that he is the Attorney General's "preferred candidate" for Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service.

The post is not expected to be confirmed until the New Year. If he gets it Mr Fuller says it will be a radical and challenging move which will enable him to bring 30 years of criminal investigation work to the CPS.

It will require him to leave Kent, probably in the spring, after six years.