SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax has spoken of his fears that Dorset Police will struggle to cope if more cuts are made before the 2012 Olympics.

Mr Drax told MPs in the House of Commons that an extra 600 police officers and agency staff would be needed to police the events at Weymouth and Portland.

It comes as dramatic cuts are expected to be announced at next week’s Dorset Police Authority meeting.

This is a result of the 20 per cent cut in police funding announced in the government’s Spending Review. Mr Drax explained in the Commons that the force faced a budget shortfall of about £6.5 million, adding: “Every time they are told they are doing an excellent job, the chief constable has less money to do the job with. If we see a reduction in officers on the beat in Dorset we are going to have problems.”

It is estimated that 50,000 visitors will swell the county’s population for the Olympic games to watch and participate in the sailing events.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Dorset Police remains firmly committed to working with all partners, not least of all the Home Office, to achieve the appropriate levels of policing as part of the overall safety and security arrangements.

“Detailed discussions on the funding for policing continue and are welcome. We look forward to reaching an acceptable position to be able to provide the necessary arrangements.”

It is anticipated that in 2012 Dorset Police will loose £6.5 million from its annual budget but the allocation for Olympic funding will not necessarily be affected.