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21 July 2011
Last updated at 08:39 ET
There will be 34,000 fewer police jobs in England and Wales by March 2015, according to research by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.
It estimated that the overall cut of 14% will include losing 16,200 officers and 16,100 civilian staff.
The HMIC adds that there is "relatively strong evidence" that some offences will increase because of the cuts.
Home Office figures showed there are 139,110 officers in England and Wales - 4,625 fewer than March last year.
The annual decrease recorded by March this year was 3.2%. The number of police staff stood at 74,010, a decrease of 7% or 5,586 compared with a year earlier.
The HMIC research into 43 forces is the most authoritative study so far into the effect of the budget cuts. Its figures indicate that the impact will be far worse than expected.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
Up to 1,800 community support officers will also go as part the budget cuts.
The inspectorate says a third of the reduction has already happened.
'Impossible position' Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the extent of the job losses: "Cutting 16,200 police officers, including 2,500 front-line officers by next year alone, is an irresponsible gamble with crime and public safety," she said.
"[Home Secretary] Theresa May has put chief constables up and down the country in an impossible position."
The Home Office has repeatedly stressed that the police front line would be protected.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg admitted the cuts would be "incredibly difficult" but said every effort would be made to try to reduce their impact.
"[The report] makes it very clear there are a whole load of things you can do in terms of savings on bureaucracy, on backroom functions, to make sure you keep as many police officers out on the streets where people want to see them".
James Brokenshire, minister for crime and security, agreed it was a "challenging" time, but said the figures did not give the whole picture.
"My focus is on visibility and availability - how the police are deployed, how they are used. Simply focussing on the figures doesn't give you that analysis."
Surrey Police is the only force intending to increase staffing by 2015, adding 200 police constables. The HMIC praised its grasp of the "financial challenges".
A separate study by the HMIC has also concluded there is "relatively strong evidence" that cutting police numbers could increase some types of crime.
The study estimates a 10% reduction in officers will lead to a 3% rise.
Are you in the police force? What is your reaction? Send us your comments.
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It estimated that the overall cut of 14% will include losing 16,200 officers and 16,100 civilian staff.
The HMIC adds that there is "relatively strong evidence" that some offences will increase because of the cuts.
Home Office figures showed there are 139,110 officers in England and Wales - 4,625 fewer than March last year.
The annual decrease recorded by March this year was 3.2%. The number of police staff stood at 74,010, a decrease of 7% or 5,586 compared with a year earlier.
The HMIC research into 43 forces is the most authoritative study so far into the effect of the budget cuts. Its figures indicate that the impact will be far worse than expected.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
[The report] makes it very clear there are a whole load of things you can do... to make sure you keep as many police officers out on the streets”
End Quote
Nick Clegg
Deputy Prime Minister
Up to 1,800 community support officers will also go as part the budget cuts.
The inspectorate says a third of the reduction has already happened.
'Impossible position' Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the extent of the job losses: "Cutting 16,200 police officers, including 2,500 front-line officers by next year alone, is an irresponsible gamble with crime and public safety," she said.
"[Home Secretary] Theresa May has put chief constables up and down the country in an impossible position."
The Home Office has repeatedly stressed that the police front line would be protected.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg admitted the cuts would be "incredibly difficult" but said every effort would be made to try to reduce their impact.
"[The report] makes it very clear there are a whole load of things you can do in terms of savings on bureaucracy, on backroom functions, to make sure you keep as many police officers out on the streets where people want to see them".
James Brokenshire, minister for crime and security, agreed it was a "challenging" time, but said the figures did not give the whole picture.
"My focus is on visibility and availability - how the police are deployed, how they are used. Simply focussing on the figures doesn't give you that analysis."
Surrey Police is the only force intending to increase staffing by 2015, adding 200 police constables. The HMIC praised its grasp of the "financial challenges".
A separate study by the HMIC has also concluded there is "relatively strong evidence" that cutting police numbers could increase some types of crime.
The study estimates a 10% reduction in officers will lead to a 3% rise.
Are you in the police force? What is your reaction? Send us your comments.
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