THERE are renewed fears that an examination of police resources in the Forest of Dean could mean a further cut in the numbers of local officers.

The Review has been told that up to 10 could be on the move.

There are already serious misgivings locally about the lack of cover in the Forest and police officers are concerned that should two serious incidents occur at the same time they would not have the manpower to cope.

There are also concerns that the present number of officers available to deal with incidents of rowdiness could leave officers isolated and open to the danger of assault.

Radio communication is notoriously difficult in the Forest and with a number of "blackspots" the system urgently needs upgrading.

"There is real concern that an officer could be faced with a dangerous situation and find no back-up available locally and that radio assistance to call for help might not even be readily available," the Review was told.

Two women officers injured in attacks in the Forest of Dean over the past three years have never recovered sufficiently to return to work. One attack happened in Lydbrook and the other in Lydney.

Police numbers in the Forest have steadily decreased over the years.

From the days when there was a divisional office at Lydney and round-the-clock manning at Coleford and Cinderford plus constables in almost every village, the force has been reduced to a shadow.

In the early 1980s there were 111 officers of all ranks in the Forest and this has now reduced to around 70 to cover all shifts.

A retired police officer said he was concerned a dangerous situation was developing in the Forest.

"It has been accepted there is more crime in Gloucester and Cheltenham but previous staff reviews have done nothing to take into account the distances involved in the Forest. If an arrest is made it can take two officers out of frontline duties for a number of hours while a prisoner is taken to Gloucester," he said.

A police spokesperson said: "As part of the ongoing management process of the force we are undertaking a review of our Inspector Neighbourhood Area police model. This review is designed to ensure that our structures and organisation are able to continue to deliver the strategy for the force. As part of the review, workloads and the amount of support provided to the 18 Inspector Neighbourhood Areas will be examined."