MINOR crimes could be investigated over the phone as part of £41million in spending cuts, police chiefs have revealed.

Essex Police is considering calling some crime victims instead of visiting them at home to save officers’ time as it tries to shave the cash from its budget by 2014.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Newcomb said low level criminal damage or thefts may not result in a police officer visiting the victim. But he stressed the changes will not affect the way more serious crimes, including common assault and burglaries, are investigated.

He said: “At the moment, even if a low level crime is reported, such as a low level theft, and the victim just wants a crime reference number, we still will launch an inquiry around that.

“In the new model, it’s appropriate to look at telephone investigations for the low-level crime based on threat and harm, and to deploy officers to crimes where an investigation is warranted because of the nature of the crime and vulnerability of the victim.”

Mr Newcomb said if a victim requested an officer visit, even for a low-level theft, it would be considered.

He added: “I can assure you if a member of the public wants to see a police office that will be one of the criteria we will consider.”

Under the proposals, nearly 400 police officers will be cut across the county, along with 100 PCSOs and 600 support staff.

There are plans to increase the number of inspectors and chief inspectors by 17, recruiting more police specials to help neighbourhood policing teams and use more civilian staff to man custody suites to free up officers’ time.

Mr Newcomb said: “Too often at very busy times when you arrest vulnerable people, who might have been drinking or used drugs or may have mental health issues, we used police officers to monitor their detention.

“Purely because at peak times that demand outstrips what police officers can manage, we will increase the number of civilians to free up cops for front-line policing.”

He said neighbourhood policing teams will be bolstered with a dedicated team of officers patrolling at night as well as during the day.

Mr Newcomb said: “While they will be present and visible during the day, there will also be an expectation that neighbourhood policing teams will liaise with licensees, be present outside pubs and clubs and resolve some of the dramas the night time economy can present to local communities.”