Devon and Cornwall Police's ability to fight crime while managing budget cuts has been rated as "good" by inspectors, just two years after they warned the force was "at risk" of failing the public.
Last year, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) warned Devon and Cornwall Police "may struggle to protect the frontline" in the face of further budget cuts.
That official verdict – in an otherwise positive assessment – followed a stark warning in 2012 in which the force was deemed "at risk of not delivering an efficient and effective police service".
In a report published today, titled "Policing in Austerity", HMIC said Devon and Cornwall had "continued to make good progress in delivering savings despite facing a very difficult challenge".
It said the force was "on track" to deliver savings of £53.3 million between 2011 and 2015 and had plans to meet the £12.7 million savings needed into the next two years.
The force, which has lost 400 police officers since 2010, had also "improved processes and services to increase productivity and reduce waste, and strived to deliver effective policing in spite of cuts in workforce numbers".
Dru Sharpling, HMIC Inspector for the Wales and Western Region, said: "Devon and Cornwall Police is on track to make all of the savings it needs over the period of the spending review.
"The force has faced a particularly difficult challenge, not only because of the scale of the spending cuts but because it was already spending less on policing than most other forces and had less scope to find the savings.
"The force has assessed the further savings it needs for the following financial year of 2015/16 and has plans in place to make these savings.
"The force is also looking beyond this period and is developing plans for an ambitious alliance with neighbouring Dorset Police."
HMIC has tracked how forces have made savings following the Government spending review in October 2010. This year, it found 40 police forces were judged to be "outstanding" or "good" with only three – Bedfordshire, Gwent and Nottinghamshire – told they "must improve".
Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg said HMIC's assessment reflected the "real progress" made in meeting budget cuts "while ensuring that service to the public is not disrupted".
"My police and crime plan makes a considerable commitment to 'make every penny count' and many of the activities described in the report reflect ongoing progress made by both the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the force to deliver against this objective," he added.
"In particular it highlights the financial roadmap being used to deliver a new approach and new ideas which will maintain service to the public whilst delivering cost reductions and efficiency savings.
"This will examine key services, find new ways to work with partners so we can reduce our respective costs, become leaner and identify new ways to boost our income."
