WEST Midlands Police’s resources chief says he is pleased the force has dodged cuts in the government’s spending review.

Chancellor George Osborne MP handed cops an early Christmas present by pledging to protect police spending.

The promise, in today’s announcement about Tory spending plans for the next five years, surprised many commentators who had predicted police would face further budget reductions.

David Wilkin, the force’s director of resources said: “We’re pleased by the Chancellor’s statement today promising no cuts to the police budget.

“We need to look at the details of the autumn statement to see what it exactly means for funding West Midlands Police over the next five years.

“What is clear is that the process of reform and modernisation of West Midlands Police will continue.”

In real terms police in England and Wales will get an increase of £900m by 2020 to keep up with inflation, but the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, seems less than happy.

He said: “The Chancellor’s announcement does not change the fact that West Midlands Police has been hit harder than any other force in the country, that we have had cuts of £130million since 2010 and have had to make difficult choices as a result.

“We will be examining the fine print of the statement and the funding allocation for West Midlands Police in December will provide us with more news.”