Police Officer Numbers Plummet Under Labour Government, Official Figures Reveal
New official statistics have exposed a dramatic decline in police officer numbers across England and Wales since Labour came to power. Home Office data published today reveals the total number of officers has fallen by more than 1,300 in just twelve months, representing a significant reduction in frontline policing capacity.
Steady Decline in Police Personnel
The figures show 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. This represents a decrease of just under one percent, equivalent to more than three officers being lost every single day. The total has fallen by 2,200 since peaking at 147,745 under the previous Conservative government.
The decline extends beyond regular police officers to other crucial policing roles. The number of police community support officers has also fallen by more than 200 under Labour, while special constables - unpaid volunteers with the same powers as regular officers - have dropped by 514 year-on-year, representing an 8.8 percent reduction to just over 5,300.
Broader Policing Workforce Reduction
The reduction in police personnel is even more pronounced when considering the entire policing workforce. The number of police civilian staff dipped by 529 to approximately 81,700, bringing the total reduction across all policing roles to approximately 3,000 individuals in the past year alone.
These declining numbers come just days after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled controversial plans to slash the number of police forces from the current 43 and create a new National Police Service focused on major crime and counter-terrorism.
Political Fallout and Opposition Criticism
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp launched a scathing attack on the government, stating: '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.'
Philp added: 'Falling police officer and police staff numbers means fewer police to investigate crimes, patrol the streets and respond to 999 calls. 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.'
Government Response and Neighbourhood Policing Focus
Despite the overall decline, the government highlighted some positive developments in neighbourhood policing. The total number of police and PCSOs in neighbourhood policing roles rose to 19,500 at the end of September, representing an increase of 2,383 in six months.
A Home Office spokesman defended the government's approach: '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 £2 billion.'
Labour has pledged to increase the number of neighbourhood police officers specifically but has made no commitment to increase the overall number of officers across all policing functions.
