THE Government today disputed Labour claims more than 10,000 police officers in England and Wales could be cut over the next two years.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the job losses, revealed in a party survey of police forces, showed the "shocking and brutal reality" of the Government's spending cuts.
Ms Cooper said the cuts were "only the beginning" as a third of forces had yet to announce reductions to their workforces.
"Far from protecting frontline policing as ministers promised, over 10,000 police officers are being cut in the next few years alone," she said.
"That's 10,000 fewer police officers fighting crime, solving serious cases, or keeping our country safe."
But Policing Minister Nick Herbert said he didn't accept Labour's claims, which he described as "totally dishonest".
He said that "de-bureaucratising" the police and handing officers discretion to deal with cases were as important as numbers on the frontline for reducing crime.
Forces across the country should be more efficient as they currently employ 5,000 staff to work on 2,000 different computer systems, while chief constables could share backroom operations such as procurement, he said.
"No, I don't accept Labour Party figures," Mr Herbert said. "I think it is better to wait for official figures. We have never said we can guarantee police numbers and nor has the Opposition said that.
" I think this is totally dishonest on their part. Firstly, because it denies their responsibility for bequeathing the country the deficit we are having to deal with. Secondly, because they too have said they would cut police spending by over �1 billion which is what the inspectorate (HM Inspectorate of Constabulary) says can be saved by the police in making efficiencies."
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