Bobbies on beat disappear despite a Increase by 20,000 police officers officers, the interior minister admitted.

In a speech at the police chiefs’ summit on Tuesday, Yvette Cooper said that even after what The previous Conservative government reversed the reduction in overall officer numbers, the police are not back on our streets.

She cited data from the Office for National Statistics’ Crime Survey for England and Wales, which showed that the proportion of the public who say they never see an officer on the beat has doubled in the past decade.

The figures show that the number of respondents who had never seen a foot patrol in their area rose to 54% in 2023/24, compared to 27% in 2009/10.

Shoplifting hits a record high

“So it’s no wonder that types of crimes and behavior that neighborhood policing used to address have increased,” Ms Cooper said.

“Shoplifting is at a record high, street theft has increased by 40% in a year. City centers are too often plagued by persistent anti-social behaviour, leaving residents feeling unsafe. Criminals – often organized gangs – just get away with it. We can’t stand this.

“The impact that good neighborhood policing has on local community confidence and business confidence should never be underestimated.”

Ms Cooper promised neighborhood policing would be at the heart of the Government’s crime plans, although she did not set a timetable for plans to recruit an extra 13,000 police officers, police community support officers (PCSOs) and special constables.