by political editor Paul Francis

Kent police chiefs are urging the government to rethink planned budget cuts amid fears they could compromise public safety.

Ann Barnes, the chairman of Kent Police Authority, is among signatories to a letter that been sent by police leaders to minister Nick Herbert urging a change to the phasing of the cuts over the next four years.

Kent Police estimates that it will have to save £53m over the next four years and expects to lose 1,500 jobs - about a fifth of its workforce - over that period.

In the letter, police leaders say that while they are committed to protecting the public, the ability of police forces to do so "is seriously impacted by the phasing of the proposed cuts."

Ms Barnes said Kent Police faced a difficult time but insisted it was well placed to weather the storm. However, the challenge of making cuts would be easier if the government shifted the burden of the cuts to the latter two years rather than the first.

"The difficulty is the effect on personnel. You can squeeze efficiency savings out until you are blue in the face but there is nowhere else to go if you are cutting by 20 per cent," said Mrs Barnes.

"To take 1,500 people out will be difficult but the longer you have to do it, the more achievable it is. Difficult decisions will have to be made but we have taken the time and space to get it right."

But she added: "I do not think police capability in Kent will be compromised. Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of policing in Kent and despite the reductions, we are confident that people will see little difference in the level of policing delivered locally."