Jack Dromey MP, Shadow Policing Minister, responding to today’s release of police workforce figures, said:

“Britain has lost over 18,000 police officers under this Tory Government, with the threat of many more set to go. Cameron has broken his promise to the public to protect frontline officer numbers.

“This is the worst possible time to slash bobbies on the beat. Just as the most serious and violent crimes are soaring, so too are the demands on our depleted police force to keep the country safe from terrorism, fight cybercrime and tackle child sex exploitation and abuse. To make matters worse, the Tories want to fill the gaps in the ever thinner blue line with volunteers.

“The first duty of any Government is the safety and security of our citizens. By slashing our police force, the Tories are letting the British people down.”