Police 'Get New Guidance' On Tackling Riots

Police forces will be given clearer guidance on tactics in the wake of last week's riots, Theresa May has said in a speech defending budget cuts.

The Home Secretary said forces need greater clarity as she praised the way they changed tactics to "surge" onto the streets to tackle the disorder.

Theresa May also set out the case for planned cuts after being buffeted by criticism that slashing costs will leave officers unable to do their jobs properly.

She said it was clear that even after making savings, forces across the country will still have the front-line capacity they need.

Rebutting claims from senior police officers and the Mayor of London amongst others, the Home Secretary said while central government spending police was falling by 20% this was not the full picture.

Forces raise money locally through what is known as the "precept" which means the cuts are not as dramatic as they appear, she added.

In cash terms and taking forecasts on police pay into account, the cut is more like 6%, she suggested.

"The number of police officers who will be employed at the end of the spending review period will still allow the numbers of police we've seen deployed [during the riots], be deployed," she said.

Mrs May said she did not believe asking questions about effectiveness or spending amounts to an "attack" on police.

"We owe all police officers a debt of gratitude," she said.

"One thing is clear: the experience of the last 10 days makes the case for police reform more urgent than ever."

She said officers often feared being "damned if they do, damned if they don't" when it comes to intervening in certain situations.

"As long as you act within reason and the law, I will never damn you if you do," Mrs May said.

The Home Secretary also said she would consider tougher measures on curfews as existing laws do not allow for a general curfew in a particular area and limits their use on under 16s.

Mrs May will write to Sir Denis O'Connor, the chief inspector of constabulary, to say forces should be given clearer guidance on tactics, pre-emptive action, the number of officers trained in public order policing, the need for forces to assist others, and the appropriate arrest policy.

But critics of some reforms say there are increasing dangers facing officers on Britain's streets.

Sir Denis warned earlier this year that more than two in five forces were unprepared to help police major protests.

The row over police funding became heated in light of the riots and the need to surge so many officers onto the streets.

Last week, London Mayor Boris Johnson appeared to challenge the Government's plan to cut spending on police, telling Sky News: "The numbers matter."

Rival mayoral candidate, Ken Livingstone, said on Tuesday he had written to Mr Johnson to tell him the issue is his responsibility.

"You set the Metropolitan Police's budget. It is within your power to make decisions to cut the police or invest in the police," the Labour candidate wrote.

"It is within your power to reverse the decisions you have made to cut the number of police officers. I urge you to think again," he added.