BIRKENHEAD MP Frank Field is lobbying the Government to increase funding to Merseyside Police, after shocking statistics were revealed.

The news comes after data, taken from the House of Commons Library, shows that between 2010 and 2018 the number of full time police officers in Merseyside has decreased by 24.5% from 4,516 to 3,409 - compared to an average national decrease of 14.8%.

The statistics also revealed that there had been a 25% increase in reported crime - plus a 50% increase in Wirral alone.

Mr Field has now requested a meeting with Merseyside Police chief constable Andy Cooke and the minister for policing and fire in a bid to secure extra cash for the force, whose funding from Government has remained flat since 2015.

He will also go out on patrol with officers around Birkenhead in September before submitting his findings to Parliament.

Mr Field told the Globe: "Decent citizens across Merseyside are crying out for more bobbies on the beat.

"Our local Police forces have been decimated by cuts since 2010 and, despite officers doing the very best job they can with limited resources, crime still blights all too many of our communities."

Earlier this year Mr Field met with Merseyside's chief fire officer and the minister which resulted in a recruitment drive for more firefighters and an increase in engines - it is hoped a similar outcome will be achieved with this latest meeting.

Chief Constable Andy Cooke, said: “Merseyside Police is committed to providing our communities across the county with a professional and effective policing service.

“As Mr Field states the force has suffered from extensive cuts in recent years, but despite that the commitment and dedication of our officers and staff is as strong as ever.

“We look forward to giving Mr Field the opportunity to go out on patrol in September to see the sterling work carried out in our communities.

"I am grateful for his support of the work of the force and for raising the challenges faced at Government level and would be happy, if given the opportunity, to meet with him and the Minister for Policing and Fire to discuss the matter further.”

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “The Chief Constable and I have been urging central government to put a stop to the damaging policy of austerity for several years now.

“I welcome Frank’s support for our campaign to boost funding for our police service.

“Since 2010, Merseyside Police has lost more than 1,600 officers and staff – nearly a quarter of its entire workforce.

“Any organisation which relies so heavily on its people simply cannot be decimated in this way and still deliver the same service.

“Working in partnership with the Force, I was able to report last week that we have been able to secure more than £7.5m of funding from the Home Office to boost our response to violent crime and to fund a Violence Reduction Unit.

“This money will be used to fund work to divert young people away from violence and to break the cycle of crime. 

“While this funding is welcome, it is very much a short term payment which must be spent this financial year. The government must realise that a long-term sustainable, funding solution is still very much required if we are to turn the tide and put a stop to the rise in crime that is being experienced as a result of austerity.

“That is what we will continue to lobby for, with Frank Field supporting our campaign.”