West Midlands Police could lose up to 55 per cent of its funding by 2020 if "catastrophic" government cuts continue.

The claim was made by Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, who said the force was facing up to "the most serious situation since its formation in 1974".

Now, West Midlands Police could mount a legal challenge against the Government over the way it has consulted on new plans to fund policing.

Speaking at the Strategic Police and Crime Board, Mr Jamieson went on to warn that further budget cuts would make it difficult for the chief constable to protect the public.

Extra government cuts announced by the Chancellor in July and a new funding formula for police forces could see the West Midlands lose 55 per cent of its funds by 2020.

The National Audit Office (NAO) has already warned that the force has been hit harder than others by spending cuts.

It has lost £126 million since 2010 with total spending power cut by 23 per cent in the last five years.

Other police forces have suffered less drastic reductions, with funding for Surrey Police down by just 12 per cent in the same period, the NAO said.

West Midlands Police had expected to lose around 40 per cent by 2020, which will lead to the loss of 2,500 officers and the smallest force in its history.

Speaking about the threat of even bigger cuts, Mr Jamieson said: "To lose 40 per cent of our budget would have been very hard but we had a tough plan in place (the 2020 blueprint announced earlier this year).

"However, it would not be an underestimate to describe losing 55 per cent of total funding as catastrophic. It would be very difficult to see how the chief constable could continue to do the work he has been doing in keeping the community safe.

"It is the most serious situation this force has faced since it was formed. I am not one to cry wolf or say that cuts cannot be managed or efficiencies made, but the course that the Government is taking us on is beyond that.

"I thought that any changes to how the government divide their police funding would surely benefit the West Midlands, as we have to deal with more complex crimes, violence and radicalisation on a scale that dwarfs that of rural forces.

"From what I have been led to believe this is not the case. The rural shires are set to benefit, whilst the West Midlands is punished. The government needs to change its course, put the safety of people in the West Midlands first and give our region a fair funding deal."

In the same meeting, it emerged more crimes were recorded in July than at any point in the last three years.

Chief constable Chris Sims revealed total recorded crime was up by three per cent in the year to date and he added that his force was "just about on the edge" of being able to respond to demand with the current model of policing.

Referring to the 2020 modernisation plans, announced earlier this year, he added that the force needed to push ahead quickly with change.

A spokesman for the police and crime commissioner said West Midlands Police could mount a legal challenge against government about the way it had consulted on new plans to fund policing.

He said: "Any approach that protects the people of the West Midlands by giving us a fair deal won't be ruled out."