NEW figures showing West Mercia Police has the second lowest rate for bobbies on the beat have been branded a ‘disgrace’ by Labour figures in Redditch.

Research by The Sunday Times revealed the force only has an average of 8.5 frontline police officers per 100,000 population, with only Sussex Police having lower.

It comes at a time business owners in Redditch have called for action to tackle increased vandalism in the town centre, with local police set to increase patrols.

The force’s own figures show 1,930 officers were employed in the first quarter of this year compared with 2,071 in 2017.

PCSOs have been reduced from 240 to 234, special constables from 409 to 324 while police staff have been cut from 1,776 to 1,654.

Additionally, Home Office figures show 90 'visible operational front line' officers have been lost between March 2015 and this year.

Chief constable Anthony Bangham has already said £24.3 million savings need to be made in the next three years on top of £67.4m made during the last six financial years.

The new figures have been branded a ‘disgrace’ by Redditch’s Labour Parliamentary candidate Rebecca Jenkins, while county Labour leader Robin Lunn called them ‘extremely concerning’.

Cllr Lunn, who also represents Redditch North, said: “I feel immense sympathy for front line police officers who simply don't have the person power to provide the service that the public needs.

“It makes people feel less safe and less confident that any crime they are the victim of will be solved.

“Once again it questions the point and effectiveness of police commissioners. Since they commenced in 2012 frontline cuts have continued to be made.”

Ms Jenkins said her party would restore 10,000 police officers to work on community beats.

She added: “The fact West Mercia Police is second lowest for frontline police officers is a disgrace.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion insists frontline policing is being protected, with the force actively recruiting officers.

He said: “Keeping our communities safe is more complex than just police officer numbers.

“Modern policing is about understanding crime and its causes, and using the public’s resources more effectively and efficiently to deal with it.

“Whilst the police are recruiting to bolster their numbers, this is part of a bigger picture, which includes tackling the root causes of crime and investment in new technology.”

Redditch MP Rachel Maclean, who joined PC Chris Burns from Redditch police on patrol last week, said she has raised concerns with the Government.

She added: “I know the community is concerned about policing and I’m very much aware of the challenges facing frontline policing.

“Our Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion, has promised to protect frontline policing and he has also increased spending by £4.3m this year.

“Overall police spending is also protected in real terms until 2019/20, once local income is taken into account. This works out as an increase of £900m.”