MORE than 160 police jobs will be axed across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in a fresh round of cuts - despite plans to increase the police's share of council tax by £12 a year.

Hampshire police will lose 15 dogs and handlers, 20 traffic cops and more than 30 positions within the intelligence and service units, along with dozens of staff members.

The plans have been criticised after it emerged that Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane will increase his office budget by £440,000 for 'essential staff'.

Hampshire Police Federation chairman, John Apter, said the situation was a disgrace.

He said: "We don't know how this will specifically affect the Island but we do know that it will reduce our capabilities to send people to the Isle of Wight to respond to situations."

Mr Apter said the reduction in specialist staff, who are a critical part of the police force, would leave remaining colleagues unsafe. He said 1,000 policing jobs had been cut since 2010.

"The funding formula needs to be fair," he said.

"That is up to the government and this government has nothing but contempt for the police."

He also criticised the decision to increase the Hampshire policing precept but not spend more money on the police force.

The money for 'essential staff' includes executive officer positions and cash for an assistant police and crime commissioner. Money was previously paid from reserves.

"If people had known that half a million pounds would be going to the commissioner, would they have supported this increase?"

The County Press has requested a comment from the Police and Crime Commissioner's office and is awaiting a response.