Cuts in police budgets mean there are 124 fewer bobbies on the beat in Tower Hamlets than in 2010, it has emerged.

Figures released by the Metropolitan Police show numbers of officers have fallen by 2,900 across the capital – with inner city crime hotspots not managing to avoid the cuts.

The staff reductions were described as “completely unacceptable” by London Assembly Member and Tower Hamlets Mayoral candidate John Biggs.

“Hollowing out the frontline like this cannot continue”, he said.

“Instead of cutting the police budget by 20 per cent and the government and Mayor should be properly resourcing the police.”

Earlier this year it was confirmed that front counters at Isle of Dogs, Bow and Poplar police stations are to shut as the drive to trim budgets continues.