40,000 police jobs at risk

UP to 40,000 frontline police jobs could be axed if suggested British government cuts of 25% go ahead, the Police Federation warned.

The body, which represents police officers in England and Wales, said such a spending reduction would inevitably lead to an increase in crime.

Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever said it would be “Christmas for criminals” and urged the coalition government to “listen and see sense“.

“We expect the Home Secretary to wake up to the reality that there are going to be real consequences in the future if these cuts are made,” he said.