The figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed the number of officers dealing with 999 emergencies has fallen by more than 5,000 since the last general election in 2010, British media reported.
The number of officers classed as “first responders” fell dramatically between March 2010 and December 2011.
The reduction comes as the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, warned the cuts could affect forces’ ability to contain incidents such as last summer’s unrest in the country.
It also comes just weeks after official figures showed the total number of police officers in England and Wales had slumped to a 10-year low, with just 135,838 officers, following a four-percent cut in 12 months.
Devon and Cornwall police lost a quarter of its first responders, 540 officers, while the West Midlands saw a fall of 19 percent, or 1,023.
“Those involved in responding are stretched and it puts their safety on the line. It also impinges on the public’s safety”, said Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation.
“To lose thousands of the very officers that you need in an emergency will be deeply worrying for people right across the country,” said Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary.
“Time and again the government has promised us the frontline will not be cut but now we see very clear proof that the very officers that need to respond to 999 calls, that need to respond to emergency incidents, are disappearing”, Cooper added.
MOL/MA
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