THAMES VALLEY police fork out more than a million pounds a year to cover the cost of interpreters for foreign offenders, according to figures released by the Conservatives.

The annual cost of interpretation and translation services for Thames Valley has more than doubled to £1.1 million in the last five years.

Shadow Minister for Police Reform, David Ruffley, said the 127 per cent increase, which was obtained after a freedom of information request, showed immigration was straining tight police budgets.

He added: 'These figures suggest we are importing more foreign criminals and consequently spending already stretched police budgets on translations rather than on more frontline policing of our streets.'

Nationally, police translation costs rose from £13.5 million and £22 million between 2004 and 2008.

Thames Valley Police were unavailable for comment.