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| Number of police officers drops to lowest level for 11 years | Number of police officers drops to lowest level for 11 years |
| (4 months later) | |
| The number of police officers in England and Wales has fallen by a further 4,000 over the past year to 132,235 in September 2012 – the lowest level for 11 years. | The number of police officers in England and Wales has fallen by a further 4,000 over the past year to 132,235 in September 2012 – the lowest level for 11 years. |
| Police numbers have now dropped by 11,500 since just before the coalition government came to power and as the impact of a 20% cut in Whitehall funding to police force budgets has taken effect. | Police numbers have now dropped by 11,500 since just before the coalition government came to power and as the impact of a 20% cut in Whitehall funding to police force budgets has taken effect. |
| But the continuing decline in police numbers also comes at a time when the fall in crime appears to be accelerating with an 8% drop reported by the latest crime survey for England and Wales over the same period. | But the continuing decline in police numbers also comes at a time when the fall in crime appears to be accelerating with an 8% drop reported by the latest crime survey for England and Wales over the same period. |
| The Home Office figures also show sharp falls in the number of police community support officers, civilian staff and special constables. Police civilian staff numbers have fallen by 3,406 over the past year to 65,992 – down from 79,596 in March 2010. | The Home Office figures also show sharp falls in the number of police community support officers, civilian staff and special constables. Police civilian staff numbers have fallen by 3,406 over the past year to 65,992 – down from 79,596 in March 2010. |
| The fall in police numbers is running ahead of estimates by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary that the frontloaded 20% cut in police funding over four years could lead to the total loss of 28,400 police jobs, including 8,100 frontline posts, by 2015. | The fall in police numbers is running ahead of estimates by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary that the frontloaded 20% cut in police funding over four years could lead to the total loss of 28,400 police jobs, including 8,100 frontline posts, by 2015. |
| The rapid decline in police numbers comes as the home secretary, Theresa May, is pushing through the most radical package of police reforms for decades with elected police commissioners, fundamental changes in pay and conditions including a £4,000 cut in starting pay and the opening up of senior ranks to outsiders and overseas police chiefs. | The rapid decline in police numbers comes as the home secretary, Theresa May, is pushing through the most radical package of police reforms for decades with elected police commissioners, fundamental changes in pay and conditions including a £4,000 cut in starting pay and the opening up of senior ranks to outsiders and overseas police chiefs. |
| The Home Office figures published on Thursday say that the number of police officers in England and Wales is now at its lowest level since 2002. Police numbers peaked just before the last general election at 143,734. | The Home Office figures published on Thursday say that the number of police officers in England and Wales is now at its lowest level since 2002. Police numbers peaked just before the last general election at 143,734. |
| The official figures show that there were falls in the number of officers in 42 of the 43 forces across England and Wales in the 12 months to September 2012. Only Surrey bucked the trend with a net increase of 20 officers in the force. The largest drop was in Greater Manchester, which lost 333 officers or 4.3%, and the West Midlands, which saw a fall of 305 or 3.8%. London saw a drop of 222 or 0.7% in the strength of the Metropolitan police. | The official figures show that there were falls in the number of officers in 42 of the 43 forces across England and Wales in the 12 months to September 2012. Only Surrey bucked the trend with a net increase of 20 officers in the force. The largest drop was in Greater Manchester, which lost 333 officers or 4.3%, and the West Midlands, which saw a fall of 305 or 3.8%. London saw a drop of 222 or 0.7% in the strength of the Metropolitan police. |
| The policing minister, Damian Green, said the government had set the police a challenge – to cut crime while playing their part in reducing the country's record deficit. | The policing minister, Damian Green, said the government had set the police a challenge – to cut crime while playing their part in reducing the country's record deficit. |
| "Our police reforms are working, crime is down 10% under this government and public confidence is up," he said. "Thanks to the efforts of officers, the leadership of chief constables and our radical reform of policing that challenge is being met." | "Our police reforms are working, crime is down 10% under this government and public confidence is up," he said. "Thanks to the efforts of officers, the leadership of chief constables and our radical reform of policing that challenge is being met." |
| The shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said under Theresa May's policies there were fewer police on the street and fewer crimes being solved. | The shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said under Theresa May's policies there were fewer police on the street and fewer crimes being solved. |
| "These figures are far worse than Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary predicted and take police numbers backwards a decade," she said. | "These figures are far worse than Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary predicted and take police numbers backwards a decade," she said. |
| "These huge cuts to policing are making it harder for the police to catch criminals and deliver justice. 30,000 fewer crimes were solved under this government in the last year, including 7,000 crimes of violence against the person." | "These huge cuts to policing are making it harder for the police to catch criminals and deliver justice. 30,000 fewer crimes were solved under this government in the last year, including 7,000 crimes of violence against the person." |
| The Association of Chief Police Officers lead on workforce development, the chief constable Sir Peter Fahy, said: "With 80% of police budgets used on human resources and substantial cuts to policing budgets, it is not surprising that numbers of officers and staff have reduced. The service has risen to the challenge of dealing with significant financial cuts and reform. | The Association of Chief Police Officers lead on workforce development, the chief constable Sir Peter Fahy, said: "With 80% of police budgets used on human resources and substantial cuts to policing budgets, it is not surprising that numbers of officers and staff have reduced. The service has risen to the challenge of dealing with significant financial cuts and reform. |
| "Chief officers have delivered the budget reductions asked of them while maintaining the protection of the public, demonstrating techniques of business transformation and change management which show the service is not short of talented and skilled officers and staff." | "Chief officers have delivered the budget reductions asked of them while maintaining the protection of the public, demonstrating techniques of business transformation and change management which show the service is not short of talented and skilled officers and staff." |
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