FEARED deep budget cuts to Greater Manchester Police that would have seen more officers axed have been staved off.

Top cops at the force headquarters in Middleton had been bracing themselves for greater austerity that would have required a reduction in manpower to help balance the books.

But George Osbourne announced today he would not be reducing the Home Office police budget in England and Wales.

Delivering his Autumn Statement to the House of Commons, the Chancellor said: "Security starts at home. Our police are at the frontline of the fight to keep us safe.

"Now is not the time for further police cuts.

"Now is the time to back our police and give them the tools to do the job.

"There will be real terms protection for police funding.

"The police protect us and we are going to protect the police."

Mr Osbourne announced investment in state-of-the-art communications technology for the emergency services, which will include handheld devices being used by police officers out in the field.

Forces will be encouraged to merge back office functions in order to save money and will be helped to do so with a new fund.

Elected police and crime commissioners, like Greater Manchester's interim mayor Tony Lloyd, will be given greater flexibility to raise the precept - the amount of money they charge households through council tax bills.