Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox has refused to rule out cuts to the Police budget -- sparking fears that manpower could plummet further.

Last week Finance Minister Eugene Cox said all Ministries had to cut spending by five per cent.

The Opposition United Bermuda Party has calculated that a five percent cut on the Police budget of $35 million would mean around $1.8 million savings would have to be made - equal to between 35 and 40 police positions.

Ms Cox refused to be drawn on where the axe would fall. She said: "Our Ministry is looking at where savings can be affected but I can't give details as this must be put to Cabinet.'' Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said: "I would be very concerned about any cut to the Police budget.

"Certainly with the Police having the problems they have had in the last few months, it would be really serious to make cuts there.'' And Mr. Dunkley said he doubted Government was serious about tackling the manpower shortage -- which has slumped from 444 officers to 409 -- after Premier Jennifer Smith said foreign recruits weren't a panacea and the Government was hoping to encourage former Policemen to rejoin.

In October a recruitment drive aimed at ex-officers was launched. However the Police admit it failed.

And last week Acting Deputy Commissioner Vic Richmond said: "We've made every effort to recruit locally and devised schemes to re-hire former officers.

We've increased the age that we're hiring to 49, but we haven't had too much success.'' But Ms. Cox said Government were exploring ways to make returning to the force more tempting.

She said: "They don't want to come if they are going to have to take a hit because of their pension.

"It's good to get people who have considerable Police experience here -both Bermudians and non Bermudians.

"We are sorting out the details -- people have to make a living.'' However she said this was not an admission that police pay was too low.

She said it was about removing obstacles which penalised returning officers such as rules stating they could not be recruited at a rank higher than they had when they left.

However Mr. Dunkley said the move was doomed to failure. He said: "They have been talking about this for a long time and they are still talking about it.

Police to try to attract former officers again "They are just revisiting old ground time after time. When you are put in the position of leadership you have to lead. It won't bring enough manpower to solve the shortage. They are just trying to put their finger in the dyke. It makes you wonder how sincere they are about getting manpower up.'' In a reference to contrasting statements from Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay and Ms. Cox over the recruitment of foreign police Mr. Dunkley said: "People are speaking out in frustration but they get reprimanded.

He added: "We've had the third quarter crime statistics that showed crime was on the up. Criminals are enjoying their holiday.''