West Yorkshire Police is set to recruit fewer officers this year because of Government funding cuts – sparking fears front line policing may be affected.

The force is already making savings of £10million in this year’s budget, through a recruitment freeze, workforce modernisation, running cost reductions and using fewer external consultants.

Now Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison has been told by policing minister Nick Herbert to save a further £5.2million as part of a wide range of Government cuts across the public sector.

A report to the West Yorkshire Police Authority’s resources committee recommends the savings are made by cutting recruitment from 200 to 140 officers.

The move to recruit 60 fewer officers will save £600,000.

However, the report reads: “The loss of funding at such short notice brings the risk of impact on front line policing and policing performance.”

A reduction in fleet vehicles will save £180,000 and the West Yorkshire force’s advertising budget will be cut by £100,000 because fewer police jobs will be advertised. Recruitment cuts will mean savings of £60,000 in uniforms and body armour.

Savings will also be made through re-negotiating contracts with forensic and DNA experts.

Andrew Tempest-Mitchell, vice-chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, the union which represents 6,000 officers across the force, said there had been discussions with the Chief Constable over cuts.

He said: “This may be something we have to live with. We all know that we are in uncertain times and the cuts are obviously going to be made but we need to secure and maintain the numbers on the front line and maintain the service to the public.”

Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Authority, said: “We were informed by the Home Office that we would have to make £5.2m in savings and we have had to respond to that, because it is not an insignificant amount of money.

‘‘As far as recruitment is concerned, the figure of 140 (officers) is one that still enables us to recruit some new officers and, at the same time, maintain training.”

Coun Burns-Williamson said the authority’s priority was to “protect front line services” ahead of another anticipated spending review when the Chancellor announces his emergency budget later this month.

He said: “We are going to be meeting West Yorkshire MPs later this month to let them know the financial impact of what will be announced.

“Our priorities remain in trying to encourage public confidence and customer satisfaction in our front line delivery.’’