GWENT Police will lose 300 officers and staff over the next three years, according to a new report.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) inspected all 43 police forces and authorities in England and Wales to assess how each will meet tough budgets in the next four years and what impact this will have on the service they provide.

Gwent Police faces a £24.1 million cut in funding between now and 2015 and introduced a ‘Staying Ahead’ programme in 2007 to review its spending.

The job cuts were based on March 2010 figures, when Gwent Police employed 1,437 officers, 810 police staff and 143 PCSOs.

HMIC noted the force is in a “strong position” to make the savings, but said it will result in a 167 fewer officers and 134 fewer police staff by March, 2015. The number of PCSOs will increase by two in this time.

The force has a budget of £121.708 million for 2011/12 and will have to trim a fifth off this budget to meet its target.

Gwent Police said Chief Constable Carmel Napier is confident the reductions in staff and officers outlined in the report can be done through natural wastage, retirements and people moving jobs, instead of compulsory redundancies or retirements.

The report said Gwent Police has developed a clear financial plan which shows a measured approach to the cuts.

The report for all 43 forces, is available at hmic.gov.uk