A Chief Constable predicts crime will rise in his county because of Government budget cuts.

Surrey Chief Constable Mark Rowley said 50 jobs – including 35 officers – will go to save £1.6million.

Surrey had already lost 144 jobs in previous cuts. Mr Rowley said: "The impact for the public overall will be a less capable police service.

"I must immediately cut 50 key operational posts. This is not a decision any chief constable wants to make."

Half of all crime in Surrey is committed by outsiders, mainly from London. Police chiefs fear that will get worse.

Mr Rowley said: "London criminals avoiding the better-resourced Met and crossing the border into Surrey to commit crime will do so more as the recession intensifies."

Surrey Police Authority chairman Peter Williams described the Government's rate-capping measure as "irrational, unreasonable and indefensible". The decision to save £1.6million – to reduce council tax bills – will cost £1.2million in administration for letters telling householders of their average £3.12 saving.

Mr Rowley said: "To any impartial observer this will be seen as a total waste of money."