Ten-year low for police staffing levels

There were 131,837 officers in the 43 police forces at the end of September, down 4,001 or 2.9pc on the previous year and fewer than at any point since 2002.

In the West Midlands, the number of serving officers has dipped by 3.8 per cent.

The figures show that in September last year, there were 7,687 officers working for the force, compared to 7,992 in the same month in 2011.

The number of police community support officers was also down 5.4pc, from 736 to 696. Elsewhere, the number of officers in Staffordshire dropped by 5.8pc while the West Mercia force recorded a 2.6pc reduction.

The figures come amid a period of upheaval for police as forces deal with 20pc budget cuts and the Home Office ushers through a series of reforms which include a £4,000 pay cut for new starters.

In the West Midlands, the force is trying to save £126m by 2015. Policing minister Damian Green said: "Our police reforms are working, crime is down 10pc under this government and public confidence is up.

"We set the police a challenge – to cut crime while playing their part in reducing the country's record deficit.

"Thanks to the efforts of officers, the leadership of chief constables and our radical reform of policing that challenge is being met."

The number of police community support officers (PCSOs) also fell, down 6.9pc or 1,070 on the previous year to 14,411, while the number of special constables – volunteers – also fell 1.3pc or 248 to 19,159.

Only one police force – Surrey Police – saw an increase in its numbers over the 12 months to September, rising by 1pc or 20 to 1,981.

However, Surrey had a local policing target to increase constable numbers after it underwent reductions in officer numbers between 2006 and 2009.

The biggest falls were reported in Dorset and Warwickshire, where police officer numbers fell 5.9pc to 1,337 and 5.9pc to 827 respectively.

The number of police staff in forces in England & Wales was also down, dropping 4.9pc or 3,406 to 65,992.