FALLING numbers of police are the biggest challenge to local policing, Gloucestershire PCC Martin Surl said.

The number of police in England and Wales is at its lowest for more than a decade, according to official figures.

A House of Commons briefing report on police strength shows there are now 151,000 full time or equivalent officers in the UK - around 4,00 fewer than  2003 when the current accounting system was introduced.

Total police service strength across the United Kingdom increased year on year between 2003 and 2010.

Gloucestershire Constabulary’s establishment is 1060.

Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl said: “There is no great surprise in this report but what it does spell out is how exceedingly challenging it will be to maintain the level of services the public have become accustomed to.

“Undoubtedly, the biggest test will be finding the balance between countering the more varied and complex crimes the Police are confronted with today and the more traditional neighbourhood policing which people tell me they want but is being eroded.

“It is too simplistic to say we need more Bobbies on the beat when it is clear police resources are diminishing.

"But these concerns will be addressed in my new police and crime plan and I will continue my discussions with the Chief Constable to find the best way of protecting the public and giving them more of what they expect."

The report, which has just been published, explores police service strength data from the Home Office, Scottish Government, and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The full report is seen here: http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN00634#fullreport