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Fewer police in England and Wales Fewer police in England and Wales
(40 minutes later)
The number of police officers in England and Wales has fallen for the first time since March 2000, Home Office figures have revealed.The number of police officers in England and Wales has fallen for the first time since March 2000, Home Office figures have revealed.
The total dropped by 173 officers from the end of March last year to 141,873 at the end of September.The total dropped by 173 officers from the end of March last year to 141,873 at the end of September.
The government has made recruitment a priority since the rapid decline in numbers during the late 1990s.The government has made recruitment a priority since the rapid decline in numbers during the late 1990s.
In 2004, the number of police officers in England and Wales exceeded 140,000 for the first time.In 2004, the number of police officers in England and Wales exceeded 140,000 for the first time.
The figures also show a 35% rise, year on year, in the number of police community support officers (CSOs) to 8,517.The figures also show a 35% rise, year on year, in the number of police community support officers (CSOs) to 8,517.
These were first introduced into England and Wales in 2002 under the Police Reform Act in response to concern over a perceived lack of police presence on the streets.These were first introduced into England and Wales in 2002 under the Police Reform Act in response to concern over a perceived lack of police presence on the streets.
The number of police civilian staff also rose 2.7% year-on-year to 74,585.The number of police civilian staff also rose 2.7% year-on-year to 74,585.
North Wales saw the biggest loss of police officers with a 2.8% fall, followed by Wiltshire (2.6%) and Suffolk (2.2%).North Wales saw the biggest loss of police officers with a 2.8% fall, followed by Wiltshire (2.6%) and Suffolk (2.2%).
'Insult to taxpayers''Insult to taxpayers'
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the fall was an "insult to taxpayers" who he said had more than paid for an increase in police numbers through increased police precept payments on their council tax bills.Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the fall was an "insult to taxpayers" who he said had more than paid for an increase in police numbers through increased police precept payments on their council tax bills.
He said that although the drop was small "it looks set to be the turning point given the severe funding pressures police forces are facing under the government's plans".He said that although the drop was small "it looks set to be the turning point given the severe funding pressures police forces are facing under the government's plans".
"We have already seen the Government abandon their pledge to provide an extra 8,000 CSOs by next year.""We have already seen the Government abandon their pledge to provide an extra 8,000 CSOs by next year."
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said the figures were a "sign of things to come".Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said the figures were a "sign of things to come".
"Home Office cutbacks have already led to reductions in the promised number of CSOs and a withdrawal of new services like a non-emergency phone number," he said."Home Office cutbacks have already led to reductions in the promised number of CSOs and a withdrawal of new services like a non-emergency phone number," he said.
"Now the funding squeeze is hitting frontline police themselves."Now the funding squeeze is hitting frontline police themselves.
"The government should get its priorities right and spend more money on the police officers we all want, instead of wasting billions on an unnecessary and illiberal ID cards scheme.""The government should get its priorities right and spend more money on the police officers we all want, instead of wasting billions on an unnecessary and illiberal ID cards scheme."
But a Home Office spokeswoman told the BBC News website: "Officer numbers have gone down by just 0.1%.
"Overall, the capacity of the police service remains at an all-time high and police officers are supported by an increase in community support officers and police staff."