NORTHUMBRIA Police has faced more cuts than any other force in England and Wales, a damning report out this week has revealed.

A review of policing by the National Audit Office (NAO), the official watchdog for public spending, said that huge funding cuts nationally have led to worryingly low arrest rates, while victim satisfaction levels are on the decline.

And the report revealed that, of all the forces in the country, Northumbria has faced the most dramatic cuts. Since 2010, funding has been slashed by 25 per cent.

During the summer months, many questions were asked of the force’s activity in the Tyne Valley following increased reports of burglaries, drug abuse, anti-social behaviour and fires.

Dame Vera Baird QC, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria said: “The NAO report clearly shows that the government cuts are hitting Northumbria hardest, something I have said for many years but the government has refused to accept.

“How can it be right when the National Audit Office state that Northumbria force budget has been cut by 25 per cent since 2010, yet leafy Surrey has only had to endure an 11 per cent cut?

“Because of my commitment to maintain neighbourhood policing, I have had to use reserves and that has caused us to have one of the lowest levels in the country.

“The NAO report reinforces what Labour PCCs have been telling government. The Home Secretary now needs to stop dithering on police funding and take decisive action to give Northumbria and other forces the fair funding formula they deserve.”

The NAO review highlighted concerns in the huge falls in police staffing levels and the severe reductions in the percentage of crimes resulting in criminal charges.

In addition, it asked the Home Office for a more fair approach to funding to all police forces across the country.

A spokesman for NAO said: “The Home Office should review the funding formula and adopt an approach to funding that takes account of forces’ local circumstances more fairly.”