Like a lot of public services, Lancashire Constabulary has grown substantially over the past decade.

But the economic woes have left Britain with a massive deficit and now the new coalition government is wielding the axe to bring it under control.

It means the police in Lancashire will go back to staffing levels of the year 2000, with 1,000 fewer workers.

Chief Constable Steve Finnigan is pragmatic enough to accept this situation, roll up his sleeves and battle on. But he made his feelings plain yesterday during a briefing for selected local media.

He feels the force will in future only be able to ‘sustain’ crime levels, rather than bring about reductions.

Mr Finnigan also said it would be ‘madness’ to cut the budget by more than the 25 per cent predicted.

And he revealed his belief that police budgets should have been protected like health and education services.

That may be right.

The chief is right to speak his mind.

Now public and political pressure is on him and his senior managers to cut bureaucracy and waste.

But financial problems should not damage frontline policing.