THE public will be asked how police should prioritise their calls as the force asks people to have a say on spending cuts.

Lancashire faces £43m of savings over the next four years and Chief Constable Steve Finnigan is looking for residents’ help.

They have already identified more than £14m through back and middle office reductions, but have accepted that front line policing cannot escape the drastic cutbacks.

Residents are being asked to complete a short survey which includes questions such as how they would prefer to report crime, how they think calls to the police should be prioritised and whether they think the Constabulary could make it easier for people to talk to them about non emergency matters.

Mr Finnigan said: “Over the coming months, we will have some tough decisions to make about the shape of local policing and the public's input into that decision making is vital.

“That’s why we are keen for people to complete the survey and have their say.

”It is important that we ask ourselves and the public some challenging questions and that we rule nothing out.”

The survey is available at www.lancashire.police.uk from until Monday, February 21.