Home Office funding of Dyfed-Powys Police Authority for the current year has been slashed, it was announced yesterday.

The authority described the news of a reduction of £900,000 in 2010/11 as “clearly disappointing” as authorities across Wales face swingeing cuts.

While acknowledging that the authority has a part to play in Government plans to reduce the budget deficit, the authority said it “will present a significant challenge in terms of balancing the authority budget.”

Chief Constable Ian Arundale said: “Balancing the budget is going to be extremely difficult in these circumstances but we are absolutely committed to ensuring that this will not affect the delivery of front line policing.

“We have already taken steps to freeze the filling of all non-essential job vacancies across the force and we will be further scrutinising all items of non-pay expenditure.”

Chairman of the Police Authority, Delyth Humfryes said: “I am absolutely confident that the sound financial position which the Authority has, puts us in a strong position in terms of dealing with this announcement. I know that the Chief Constable and his team will find solutions which will enable the Dyfed Powys Police force area to retain its position as the safest place to live, work and visit in all of England and Wales.”

The Chief Officers, together with members of the Police Authority are considering the precise arrangements needed to meet this challenge.

The changes were announced by Policing and Criminal Justice Minister, Nick Herbert.

He signalled that as part of the plan to cut the budget deficit he required the police to “make a fair share of the savings needed.”

Mr Herbert said that it would be up to the Chief Constables to decide what is best for their force, adding: “I am quite clear that this saving can be achieved by driving out wasteful spending on support functions, reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency in key functions - leaving the frontline of policing strong and secure.”

He also praised the responsible and constructive way police forces have already responded to budget deficit reduction plans.

“I am clear that the police should be focused on police work, not paperwork.

“This is why I am committed to cutting the centrally imposed red tape and bureaucracy that slows police officers down and keeps them off the streets and away from protecting the public.”