Police numbers are at an all-time high, the government has said. 

Home secretary David Blunkett released new figures on Tuesday showing the number of officers in England and Wales now stands at 138,155.

Government Response: Home Office

Home secretary David Blunkett said: "Crime continues to fall and the chance of being a victim of crime is at its lowest for 20 years, but surveys show that 64 per cent of people believe crime has increased, with only six per cent believing that it has fallen. If you don't feel it, you don't believe it - only when people begin to feel safer will we know that we are beginning to make a real difference.

"Police numbers continue to rise and it is vital that we make the best use of them to make a real difference to quality of life in our communities. The police reform programme is continuing with good results - we have committed £100 million to recruit community support officers, reduced bureaucracy and provided modern equipment and technology to free up officers.

"I want to build on the progress we have already made by redefining the relationship of the police with the people they serve, making them locally accountable and more responsive to local needs.

"The funding we are providing for reassurance policing will help change the nature of policing based on results. Community intelligence and reassurance is at the heart of effective operational policing - it is not an optional extra. Responding to low-level crimes, which have a disproportionate impact on public feelings of safety, is key to this approach."

Party Response: Conservatives

Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "We welcome any approach by the government to put more officers on the street. But the simple fact is, the numbers they are talking about are not nearly enough.

"Council tax payers have already paid for an extra 5,000 police officers than they have already got. Where has that money gone? Up and down the country violent crime and sexual crimes are on the rise - and some communities never see police walking the beat. We welcome the initiative today but it does not go far enough."

Party Response: Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said: "This latest wave of recruits must not end up pushing paper at headquarters or be wasted on government targets.

"A visible police presence out on the streets is what the public deserve and must have."

Forum Response: Corporation of London

A spokesperson for the Corporation of London told ePolitix.com: "National funding for the City of London Police has fallen in real terms over recent years.  Consequently, in order to help fund an improved and expanded police service in the City, the Corporation of London took the decision in 2003 to introduce a 0.7 per cent premium on the business rate.

"This has provided an extra £4 million funding for the City of London Police which has allowed for the recruitment of 48 new officers, and the expansion of the City's traffic and environment zone (the 'Ring of Steel')."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Richard Wilson, business policy executive at the Institute of Directors, said: "The Institute of Directors welcomes the news that police numbers are at an all time high.

"A survey of IoD members last year showed that 88 per cent of members wanted a significant increase in police numbers and a greater police presence on the streets.

"We need more officers to deter criminal behaviour and improve the detection rate. However, the government cannot rest on its laurels: it must continue to strengthen police numbers and ensure that punishment fits the crime."

Forum Response: Association of Chief Police Officers

Tim Godwin, assistant chief commissioner at the Metropolitan police and Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman for reassurance policing, said:  "The increase in police numbers leads to reassurance within the public.

"The reassurance programme is about learning the lessons that it is wrong to make assumptions about what matters to the public we serve. It is about delivering a policing style which recognises local priorities, in partnership with other agencies, to improve the safety and security of our neighbourhoods"

Forum Response: National Black Police Association

Anna Scott general secretary of the  NBPA told ePolitix.com: "The NBPA welcomes any increase in the number of Police Officers on the street, and views the building of trust and confidence within local communities as an essential policing priority.

"In light of recent events such as the "Secret Policeman" documentary, caution is advised in this and similar initiatives until a full review of all forces recruitment departments and processes has been undertaken. The Police Service must ensure that a robust and uncompromising system is in place that deters any racist individual from joining the Police Service. We must maintain a high standard with our priority being the quality not quantity of recruits. It is also important that we place these figures in the context of the high numbers of Police Officers leaving the Police Service.

"It is the aim of the NBPA to assist the government in addressing all of these matters and achieving its recruitment objective. We will continue to take an active part in the recruitment of black and ethnic minority staff throughout the Police Service."