Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to today’s Home Office police workforce statistics, said:

“David Cameron and Theresa May promised to protect frontline policing - but today’s figures show that promise lies in tatters. There are now 16,701 fewer police officers protecting our streets and communities than in 2010.

“Neighbourhood policing has been badly hit, 999 waits have gone up, and far fewer criminals are being prosecuted and convicted.

“Yet the Tories want to go even further even though violent crime is up, more complex crimes including child abuse, rape and domestic violence are being reported, terror threats remain, and there is a massive increase in online crime.

“Already Theresa May plans to lose more than 1,000 more police officers next year and ACPO have warned thousands more officers and staff will go.

“Labour would start by scrapping Police and Crime Commissioners, requiring joint procurement and ending the subsidy for gun licences so that Chief Constables have the money to stop the 1,000 police officers being cut next year.

“The Tories are destroying neighbourhood policing step by step. We cannot let that happen.”