The island’s top police officer is warning further budget cuts to the Island’s constabulary could mean the end of neighbourhood policing.

In his annual report to Tynwald, which will be presented to the court on July 9, Chief Constable Gary Roberts says the Island’s current model of policing will be unsustainable if funding continues to be cut.

Mr Roberts says more cutbacks could affect relationships with Manx communities, and make it more difficult to stop serious and organised criminality.

He points out the Manx constabulary hasn’t the flexibility of other forces in the UK, who can work together to save cash.

The chief constable says financial reforms already mean a smaller workforce with fewer senior managers and more volunteers.

But he says his organisation can’t collaborate with other forces to provide joint teams for traffic, CID and back offices.

Mr Roberts says there are a number of ways to police the Island, but the current model works, and is popular with the public.

And he warns that the Island’s quality of life and economic success is down in no small part to the security his officers provide.