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Gordon Brown has directed police forces to put more officers on the beat in an effort to increase the public's confidence in law and order.
The prime minister said it was not "acceptable" to miss the government targets of having neighbourhood police teams on patrol for at least 80 per cent of the time.
Brown also warned local authorities and police forces not to cut budgets for front-line law enforcement.
In a speech in Reading, Brown disputed the Tories' claim that Britain is "broken", repeated yesterday at the Conservatives' Spring Conference in Brighton.
He accused the Conservative leader of "talking down the country", after a weekend opinion poll showed the Opposition's lead had been reduced to just two points.
And he criticised the Tories for "abusing" crime statistics in order to create a "public sense of panic".
Brown said the government will continue to focus on maintaining a strong police presence on streets, using the best modern powers and technology to enable the police to keep people safe, and introducing tougher sentences for dangerous criminals.
"My challenge to local authorities and police authorities around the country is to match our commitment to protecting front line policing," Brown said.
"Or else explain to their communities why they are not prepared to do so and explain what else is more important than keeping their streets safe and continuing to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour and drive down fear."
He added: "We must understand the fear of crime and what's behind it. Fear of crime is higher when people don't see police on the streets, when they don't believe that police are able to deal with things that matter to them."
Prior to his speech, the prime minister joined by home secretary Alan Johnson met police officers and community volunteers in Reading.
Brown pledged: "Where there is repeat offending, we will take tougher action."
Meanwhile, both the Conservatives and Liberal Democarts will today focus on education..
Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove will use a speech to head teachers to say the Conservatives would bring in a new education bill within days of a Tory election victory.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will today stress the importance of early years education in the home, pledging £2.5bn to help reduce class sizes.
In a speech to the Salvation Army in London, Clegg will call on parents to provide the support their children need to thrive as they grow up.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd