WEST Midlands Police has lost almost 14 per cent of its frontline officers since 2010, according to figures obtained by the Birmingham Post.
The force has seen the number of officers slashed by more than 1,100 since 2010 and admits that total officer cuts could hit 19 per cent by 2015 at around 1,601.
The force also says that it expects to have 574 fewer members of police staff by 2015.
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Earlier this year the force, which has been grappling with cuts of £126 million since 2010, was told to find additional savings of £27 million.
There has been no recruitment since 2010 and there will not be a single officer under the age of 25 by next year.
West Midlands Police Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said: “Since 2010 we’ve seen a reduction of 1,127 officers.
“Making these savings has not been easy. We’ve had to make difficult decisions and none more so than reducing staff and officer numbers.
“However, we’ve responded positively to the challenge and managed the cuts whilst keeping officers predominantly on the beat and in front-line crime fighting roles.
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"We’ve also made a commitment to increase the numbers of PCSOs and are in the process of employing a further 50 community officers who will work in the heart of our communities.
“A further 50 special constables are also being recruited and the command team is currently considering a recruitment process for 2014.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones outlined his plans to restart the recruitment of officers by using £60 million of police reserves to bring in 550 new officers over the next two years – because so many have been seizing the chance to leave in a stampede for the exit.
Commissioner Jones said 450 new officers will be brought along with 100 staff, who will be used to free up police for front line duties.
Speaking about the recruitment of new officers earlier this month, the PCCs chief finance officer, Mike Williams, said: “Savings have been made sooner than anticipated and together with the level of reserves it means that we can restart officer recruitment.”
Bob Jones said: “I am hoping that this two year injection of resources, which combines cash reserves and a modest precept increase for council tax payers of 6p per week, will keep us off the slippery slope of increasing crime and reduced resources.
"I want to act before we reach a tipping point and to keep us off the slippery slope in the first place.”
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As well as officer losses West Midlands Police revealed in March that it was selling off Birmingham’s Steelhouse Lane station in the city centre and its Grade Two listed custody block to save cash.
The landmark station will be closed along with Queens Road, in Aston, and Belgrave Middleway in Edgbaston.
In 2010 West Midlands Police had 7,966 front line officers, but that figure dropped down to 6,257 in March of this year, which makes it the sixth highest number of losses in England and Wales.
Surrey and Thames Valley are the only forces in England and Wales to see the numbers of full time frontline officers rise between 2010 and 2013.
In terms of projected numbers in 2015, West Midlands Police will have 1,439 fewer full time front line officers than in 2010, Greater Manchester, 823 fewer, West Yorkshire, 699 fewer, and Merseyside, 369.
Only Hampshire, Surrey and Metropolitan Police are projected to have more full time frontline officers in 2015 than in 2010.