Dorset's top police officer has expressed fears crime will rise and officers will leave the force if mounting financial pressures continue.

Chief Constable, James Vaughan has issued a stark warning that police may only be able to provide "the most basic services" unless the force is offered relief from central government.

His comments come after police and crime commissioner, Martyn Underhill gave a presentation about the force's finances at a Police and Crime Panel yesterday.

Mr Vaughan said until now the force had been able to make efficiencies to protect frontline services.

"There has to be a point when we cannot keep going and we have reached that point. Next year for the first time I will not be able to reconcile resources," he said.

Since the beginning of government's austerity programme, Dorset Police's budget had been cut by £25 million and, as a direct result, lost 500 officers and staff.

"This rate of decline simply cannot continue without having a significant impact on our services," Mr Vaughan said.

He added a £5 million hole in funding had already been identified in next year's budget which was the equivalent of 150 to 200 officers and the 'overall headcount would have to fall'.

"I am extremely concerned that the stark reality of our current financial outlook means we may no longer be able to provide anything but the most basic services to the most vulnerable sectors of our community," he said.

As reported in the Dorset Echo, Dorset Police had one of their busiest summers on record this year. In 12 months, violent crime which results in an injury has increased by 21 per cent, stalking and harassment offences were up 44 per cent and burglaries increased by 300 per cent.

Mr Vaughan said the demand for policing was rising at an "alarming rate".

"Crime and incidents have increased by nearly 10 per cent over the last year. Without an investment in resources that allow us to intervene early and prevent crime, I can only see that rise continuing," Mr Vaughan said.

He added these pressures were now taking a toll on officers who were working in an 'increasingly difficult landscape'.

"I speak to officers every day and officers are telling me they are dealing with higher case loads than ever. The quality of policing in Dorset is a testament to our front line staff - but the strain is beginning to show."

Mr Vaughan added Dorset Police had seen an increase in referrals to occupational health and an increase in staff suffering with stress and anxiety as pressures mounted.

"[Officers leaving the force] is a national phenomenon, but up until now it is not something we have not seen it here. However, if things continue in the direction they are travelling in, it will be an inevitable consequence in the future," he said.