LANCASHIRE’S ability to tackle major crime has been called into question after it emerged 62 top detective posts are being cut.

The force’s ‘G’ division or ‘Specialist Crime Unit’ is to lose the roles as part of £42million of savings labelled ‘tragic’ by one outgoing specialist investigator.

The experienced officer said criminals would be ‘rubbing their hands’ at the news that the unit is losing so many specialist officers.

Many of the staff are being re-deployed into other roles.

Based at Hutton headquarters near Preston, G Division, led by Detective Chief Superintendent Graham Gardner, incorporates the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, one of the Force Major Investigation Teams, Counter-Terrorism, Intelligence and the Scientific Support Unit.

The officer, who wished to remain anonymous, is one of the first to be told his job is going and has been moved to a regional role.

“That is 62 very experienced detectives, most of whose specialist skills will be lost to the force,” said the Detective Sergeant who asked not to be named.

“It is tragic what is happening to such a key division.

"To lose so many has got to have a serious effect on Lancashire’s ability to fight major crime.

“Crime rates will probably remain the same, but the detection rates are bound to go down because there won’t be the manpower to handle everything.

“It’s like an elastic band which you stretch and stretch and, all of a sudden, it snaps.”

Lancashire Constabulary has been ordered to make savings of 20 per cent, meaning a total of 500 officers and 300 police staff roles will go across the county.

Major inquiries handled or supported by G Division include murders such as that of Jane Clough, rapes, serious assaults and robberies.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Rhodes said the proposals followed a detailed review.

He added: “Many of these specialist officers have been deployed to other important roles within the Constabulary, ensuring we have retained their valuable knowledge and experience.

“Our commitment to the investigation and detection of serious crime remains as always, our highest priority.”