A YORK MP has appealed to the Government to rethink cuts which could lead to the number of police officers on the city’s streets falling.

Financial pressures mean North Yorkshire Police could be left with 200 fewer officers by 2013, while levels of civilian staff within the force are also set to plummet over the next year.

Crime rose by six per cent across North Yorkshire in the first five months of this year, and York Central MP Hugh Bayley has told Policing Minister Nick Herbert that cutting officers risks triggering a further rise in crime.

The North Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation has also criticised the impending reductions, which it says have hit morale and will lead to communities being less safe.

North Yorkshire Police is expecting to have to save £19 million over the next four years, with 350 staffing roles threatened on top of the possible cut in officers.

In a letter to the minister, Mr Bayley said the number of constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors in the force was expected to fall from its current level of about 1,500 to 1,250 over the next three years, a 15 per cent drop.

He asked for Mr Herbert’s views on how the Government would deal with any increase in crime.

Mr Bayley said: “When I ask people in York what their chief concerns are, they always mention crime.

“Experience tells us the economy and crime are inextricably linked. When there is an economic downturn, there are always more burglaries and thefts.

“This is one of the worst times to cut police numbers and I hope the Government will think again about the decision to cut them in York and North Yorkshire. When organisations like the Police Federation speak out, the minister needs to listen.”

Mr Bayley claimed past experience proved crime soared in North Yorkshire when police numbers were not going up, and raised concerns about a recent rise in offences in areas such as Selby and Harrogate.