The police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire has George Osborne’s promise that there will be no cuts “at all” to police budgets.

Earlier today (Wednesday 25) the chancellor announced, in his Autumn Statement, that there would be no further police cuts to forces in England and Wales.

Mr Osborne said: “Now is the time to back our police and give them the tools do the job

“I am today announcing there will be no cuts in the police budget at all.

“There will be real terms protection for police funding. The police protect us, and we’re going to protect the police.”

This was despite speculation about double digit cuts to police budgets, and an expectation that thousands of jobs would have to be slashed.

In reaction to the chancellor’s promise, commissioner Sir Graham Bright said: “We welcome the announcement made in the budget statement today.

“The full implications for Cambridgeshire Constabulary will become apparent towards the end of December as grant levels for individual forces are finalised.”

The announcement comes after The Hunts Post reported that Alec Wood, new chief constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, warned that the force would need to make around £9million worth of savings which would result in job losses.