More than 800 police officers in West Yorkshire are being axed in response to national spending cuts.

A total of 1,960 officer and civilian staff jobs are to be cut from the West Yorkshire force by March, 2015.

The figure, revealed in an HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report published yesterday, includes 810 officer posts – a 14 per cent reduction from 5,760, compared with a ten per cent drop nationally.

Police Community Support Officer numbers remain the same.

But the HMIC report also reveals that West Yorkshire Police will have proportionately more officers on frontline duties than almost any other force in England and Wales.

By 2015, it is expected that 94 per cent of West Yorkshire officers will be on frontline duty, five per cent higher than the national average.

The Government announced 20 per cent police budget cuts in 2010. West Yorkshire is having to find £103 million savings over a four-year period.

The report says West Yorkshire has put in place a comprehensive change programme and was in a good position to achieve its savings target. It had reviewed many key functions and departments, resulting in a reduction of officers and staff.

The report adds that because of the changes, West Yorkshire Police will not only be able to balance the books, but increase the proportion of its workforce in frontline crimefighting roles.

It said crime rates were decreasing in West Yorkshire and the force was working to close the gap in crime performance between itself and similar forces. The percentage of victims who were satisfied with the police service was higher than the national figure.

West Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Andrew Tempest-Mitchell acknowledged the force was retaining as much frontline policing as possible, and crime figures were significantly more positive than expected.

He added: “This is an indication of the hard work and commitment of rank and file police officers on a daily basis.”

Mr Tempest-Mitchell called on the Government to reinstate the funding cuts before crime nationally “spirals out of control.”

West Yorkshire Deputy Chief Constable, John Parkinson, said the report reflected the force’s concerted efforts to protect frontline services by streamlining backroom functions.

Mr Parkinson said: “West Yorkshire Police has one of the highest proportions of staff dedicated to the frontline and we intend to maintain that position.

“The latest crime figures show we are continuing to provide excellent frontline services with significant improvements in public confidence and satisfaction, as well as achieving sizeable reductions in crime.”

He added: “I think it says a lot about the dedicated officers and staff who are putting in the effort to ensure the public impact of the changes is minimised.”

West Yorkshire Police Authority chairman, Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, said he was pleased the efforts to protect frontline policing had been recognised.