Chief constable Jeremy Graham has expressed his rage at the proposed £26 million cuts to police services in a six-page letter to the Government. 

Mr Graham pointed out how the criteria set to determine the amount of cuts overlook fundamental elements that impact policing in the area.

In the letter to policing minister Mike Penning, he said: "I am disappointed that you have not taken into account the cost premium for the sparsity, rurality and geographical isolation of Cumbria.

"Established research estimates the cost of providing public services to rural areas is between 10 and 20 percent higher than in urban areas."

He added that it is estimated the county needs an extra £14 million a year to run an efficient service in rural Cumbria.

Out of the 43 forces in England and Wales, Cumbria is the fourth largest force by geographical area and the smallest force in terms of population.

 Mr Graham said: "Using the proposed new funding formula Cumbria would receive a 15 per cent reduction in its grant from the Government, the largest percentage reduction of any force. 

"The formula should distribute resources equitably between forces based on the relative costs of delivering an effective policing service.

"Both the current and proposed formula are flawed as they link resources allocation to crime levels, ignoring the fact that crime is only a small part of police demand.

"Over the past 15 years, we have dealt with a significant foot and mouth outbreak, two major floods, a rail crash and the West Cumbria shootings - all public safety and critical incidents which required significant specialised resources and had resourcing impacts for a long time after."

Under the new proposal, Cumbria police would have to work withing a budget of £77 million a year, rather than the current £103 million.

Mr Graham said: "Initial work suggests that community policing - engagement, proactive and preventative activity - would be unaffordable."

He added that this would lead to an increase in crime and fear of crime.

He said: "I would like to extend an invitation to you and your senior staff, to come into the constabulary, engage with the senior management team, working with us to review our current situation and financial options, to try and find solutions to address the issues I have outlined and be able to provide a sustainable and safe police service for the county."