The Tories have been accused of being "asleep at the wheel" on neighbourhood crime as new figures reveal drastic cuts to police support officers.
Analysis by the House of Commons Library found that PCSO numbers plummeted by more than 4,000 since 2015 across England and Wales.
There were 12,331 PCSOs in 2015, but by September 2022 this number had fallen to just 8,263 - a drop of 4,068 officers, the data shows.
PCSOs were scrapped entirely in Norfolk in a cost-cutting measure in 2018, meaning the 197 community officers in 2015 are all gone. They were replaced with 81 new police officers.
The other worst-hit police forces include Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, South Yorkshire, Essex, London, Devon & Cornwall, Nottinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has seen PCSO numbers fall in her own back yard (Getty Images)
Cuts in these areas add up to 1,339 PCSOs - accounting for over a quarter of total losses in England and Wales since 2015.
In London, the Metropolitan Police has seen 633 fewer PCSOs on the streets - or 35.4% drop - over the same time period.
And Hampshire Police - in Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s backyard - residents have lost 87 PCSOs - over 28% of their total numbers - since 2015.
Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: "The Conservatives are asleep at the wheel when it comes to tackling community crime.
"They spend their time trying to appear tough on crime when in reality failing to do what actually works to prevent it.
"Police Community Support Officers play a key role in keeping our communities safe.
"The Government should be supporting them, not slashing their numbers into oblivion."
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
PCSO strength in England and Wales by police force area
