A report to be presented at a meeting of Northamptonshire Police Authority's resources committee next week has outlined targets for a total of £10.97 million in savings between now and 2011.

Already this year more than £1.5million has been clawed back by improving efficiency, but the force's resources support manager John Chatley has concluded some cuts in the workforce are inevitable.

In the new progress report, he said: "The Efficiency and Productivity Plan does include some reductions in staffing. These will be managed with sensitivity and in keeping with the force's policies and procedures.

"Efficiency and productivity planning is not without risk. However, every effort is made to ensure that the measures included in the plan do not compromise the performance of the force."

Police officers themselves cannot be made redundant, but roles could be altered which would mean a greater number of jobs being carried out by civilian staff.

Northamptonshire Police already has one of the highest rates of civilianisation of all forces in the country.

As of the end of July, there were 1,326 non-officer staff jobs, including 168 PCSOs, compared with 1,301 officers.

The progress report, which will be discussed at an authority meeting next week, also reveals that the total Government revenue grant for Northamptonshire Police will be £9,494 million during the next financial year, a rise of just under three per cent compared with this year.

Mr Chatley added: "The Home Office has acknowledged that this represents a demanding financial climate and that significant improvements in efficiency and productivity will be required if the police service is to fulfil its mission to deliver community safety during this period.

"Police Authorities have a statutory responsibility both for the provision of efficient and effective policing in their force area, and for holding to account the chief officers.

"This will provide the primary assurance to the public and central government that improvements in efficiency and productivity have been delivered as planned."