The Metropolitan Police has responded to an MP’s claim that Harrow has lost 100 police officers, by saying that it “must change in order to make savings”.

The police’s comments come after Harrow West MP, Gareth Thomas, claimed that Harrow has lost 100 PCSOs and officers since 2010.

In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: “The number of officers fluctuates depending on the number leaving and retiring compared to the number being recruited.

“The Metropolitan Police decides how many officers to recruit based on projected operational requirements in line with the anticipated available budget.

“The force must change in order to make savings of £500 million by April 2015 and improve our service to the public.

“We are looking at a range of options for how we can make these changes but neighbourhood policing will remain at the heart of our service.

“We are looking to put 2,000 officers back on to the streets and in our neighbourhoods from other roles, through looking at supervision ratios and PCSO to PC recruitment, meaning safer neighbourhood teams can focus on crime fighting.

“We are working on a budget proposal which puts the Metropolitan Police at or around 32,000 officers.

“This will include increasing the number of constables from around 24,000 to 25,000 through looking at management ratios. That will be highest level of constables London has ever had.”

The comments come after Mr Thomas said he had received a response to a Freedom of Information Act request which showed that in March 2010 there were 519 PCSOs and police officers in Harrow and that by April this year that number had fallen to 419.

Mr Thomas said: “David Cameron needs to explain why Boris has allowed so many frontline police staff to be axed in London at a time of growing concern about gang crime and over a period that included major riots.

“The figures for Harrow Police show almost a 20 per cent cut in frontline police staff.

“This is a significant amount, and a lack of police officers will clearly adversely affect Harrow residents.

“Back in 2010 David Cameron promised to protect frontline police officers but this is yet another promise he hasn’t kept.”