Number of police plunges 1,300 in a 12 months beneath Labour, equal to greater than three officers being misplaced each day

The number of police officers has fallen dramatically under Labour, new official figures reveal.

Home Office data, published today, showed the total number of officers in England and Wales dipped by more than 1,300, or just under one per cent, in the 12 months to September.

It was equivalent to more than three officers being lost every day.

There were 145,550 police officers measured on a ‘full-time equivalent’ basis at the end of September, down from 146,868 a year earlier.

The total has fallen by 2,200 since peaking at 147,745 under the Conservative government.

Under Labour the number of police community support officers has also fallen by more than 200.

And the number of special constables – unpaid volunteers with the same powers as a regular officer – has dropped by 514 year-on-year, or 8.8 per cent, to just over 5,300.

The number of police officers plummeted by more than 1,300 in the year to September

The number of police civilian staff dipped by 529 to about 81,700.

Details of the declining numbers came after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled plans earlier this week to slash the number of police forces from the current 43, and to create a new National Police Service to tackle major crime and counter-terrorism.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘Police Officer numbers have dropped 1,318 in just a year under Labour.

‘The total number of people involved in policing has dropped 3,000.

‘This is a day of shame for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood whose plans earlier this week had nothing to say about increasing or even maintaining overall police numbers.

Home Secretary Shabana mahmood has been accused by the Tories of leaving the public ‘less safe’ as the number of police officers falls

‘Falling police officer and police staff numbers means fewer police to investigate crimes, patrol the streets and respond to 999 calls.’

He added: ‘The last Conservative government achieved record ever police numbers in March 2024.

‘But Labour has destroyed that legacy and police numbers are now falling fast.

‘Thanks to Labour and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the public will be less safe.’

The total number of police and PCSOs in neighbourhood policing roles rose to 19,500 at the end of September, up 2,383 in six months.

Labour has pledged to increase the number of neighbourhood police – but not to increase the overall number of officers.

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘These figures show almost 2,400 more neighbourhood officers across the country in the past six months – getting police out on the streets, where the public want them.

‘The last Government left 12,000 warranted officers stuck behind desks in support roles.

‘This Government is restoring neighbourhood policing by putting 13,000 more neighbourhood police on the streets this parliament, and has increased police funding by nearly £2billion.’