Surrey Police have managed to reduce crime while limiting the impact of spending cuts on its crime-fighting capability, according to a new report.

Surrey’s Police’s Response to the Funding Challenge, a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), states that the force has "worked very hard to limit the impact of cuts on its frontline workforce in a way very few other forces have been able to do" and has saved money by driving down costs in other areas. It says crime has fallen in Surrey more than in "most other force areas" and victim satisfaction is above average.

A report released by the Home Office on Thursday also shows that Surrey had more than 9,000 fewer crimes last year, compared to the year before, with reductions in criminal damage, theft, vehicle crime and violent crime.

Surrey Police’s Chief Constable Lynne Owens said: "Surrey Police’s ethos is putting the public first whilst taking a zero tolerance approach to crime. This is informing how we make savings and change to be more efficient, while keeping performance-focused.

"Both reports make for positive reading for Surrey but it is not the time to be complacent. There is more we can and are doing, particularly around making more of an impact on burglary and drug offences. "We also need to find additional savings following more cuts to policing."

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Kevin Hurley said there is "no painless way to save 13 per cent from a police force’s total expenditure" and commended their work.

He said: "Surrey Police have endured continuous change, sacrifice and uncertainty over the last few years to achieve the savings discussed in this HMIC report. "I cannot thank them enough for their dedication and perseverance in continuing to do an excellent job."