RESIDENTS abe being warned about the negative affects of police cuts in a new campaign.

According to Wiltshire Police Federation, drink drivers are getting away with offences, police officers are being taken off the streets to carry out paperwork and communities have less 999 coverage.

The Federation is now taking to the streets with its #CutsHaveConsequences public awareness campaign – with hard hitting adverts being displayed throughout the area on buses and mobile and static billboards.

It wants the public to know they will be left lucky to see a Bobby on the Beat.

“Drink drivers are getting away with it. This is not scaremongering, this is happening. Since the closure of Salisbury Police Station those arrested in the Salisbury area now have to be taken to Melksham - 30 miles away. Some suspects arrested for being over the limit at the roadside are under when finally tested at the station," said Mike White, chairman of Wiltshire Police Federation.

“Officers are single-crewed and being sent into dangerous situations, not knowing how far away back up might be. My members are telling me that there are times where there are not enough officers to service emergency calls so they have no choice but to attend violent situations alone.”

Mr White added that police resources in Wiltshire are becoming so over-stretched that the force may soon have to abandon some traditional policing duties.

Welfare checks, proactive patrols, roads policing and the investigation of low value theft are all at risk, the Federation has said.

Wiltshire Police has the lowest number of officers per member of the public when compared with all other forces in the UK, and it has seen its workforce slashed by 16 per cent since 2010.

Wiltshire Police has seen £16.8m funding cuts over last four years and the force is expected to save a further £3m a year over the next three years.