Police chief pledges to no officer cuts in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Darryl Preston's made the pledge ahead of this week's Budget
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's police and crime commissioner believes there must be enough money available for officers to carry out their jobs.
Last week a motion put forward by councillor Alex Bulat, of Labour, calling for fairer funding for the local police force was passed by Cambridgeshire County Council.
The motion noted that local taxpayers fund around half of the police's budget in the county, and said the local police force remains the fourth lowest funded in the country.
It comes ahead of Labour's first Budget since taking office in the summer.
"We've done an awful lot to ensure we are as efficient as we can be and I just don't see where we can make any more efficiencies without losing police officers," Darryl Preston, the county's police and crime commissioner, said.
"I'd be asking the government to ensure policing is properly resourced and has the money to do so.
"Over 80% of my budget goes on people, police officers and staff, we're already really lean on staff and the public don't want to lose police officers and nor do I, so I can't cut officer numbers."
Tackling drug crime and VAWG are priorities for county
In its manifesto, Labour said it would recruit "thousands of new police officers" as well as putting 13,000 extra neighbourhood police as well as police and community support officers in place.
Cllr Bulat's motion, seconded by Councillor Philippa Slatter and accepted with an alteration proposed by Councillor Steve Count, asked council officers to write to the Home Secretary and local MPs to gain a fairer share of police funding in the area.
It also asked to promote the White Ribbon Scheme, which works to prevent harassment, abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG).
As well as VAWG, Mr Preston is keen to see more funding to tackle drug crime in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
"I've spelt it out; if we don't invest in dealing with the problem which is drugs, so dealing with addictions and demand, our communities will be less safe as it drives crime," he added.
"They've made a priority of VAWG and I can't disagree; I will work with government, this isn't about politics, it's about keeping people safe."
Before the party was elected into power, Labour said it'll introduce specialist domestic abuse workers in 999 control rooms and rape investigation units across every police force in England and Wales.