Home Secretary Jacqui Smith launched an attack on Conservative spending plans which, it was claimed, could lead to a reduction of more than 90 police officers in Kent.

She was speaking during a visit to Dover this evening (Tuesday)when she met local members of the Labour Party.

Ms Smith said Dover had benefited from significant funding in its police force with overall crime in the South Kent area reduced by 6.9 per cent year on year due to Labour government investment.

Labour’s criticism follows announcements this month by David Cameron that he intends to restrict the Home Office’s budget to a one per cent real terms increase for 2009/10, which would require a cut of £160 million in just three months’ time.

"As Home Secretary I know what an important role each of our police officers play in keeping the streets and neighbourhoods of Dover safe," said Ms Smith.

“There are now Neighbourhood Policing Teams at work in every area of England and Wales – and since 1997, police numbers are up by more than 14,000 nationwide, alongside nearly 16,000 Community Support Officers.

“I’m committed to making sure there’s a visible police presence on our streets. Unfortunately, David Cameron cannot say the same. His plans for sudden cuts in the Home Office budget would be equivalent to slashing the number of police officers in England and Wales by more than 3,500.”

Dover MP Gwyn Prosser said: “These cuts could mean 93 fewer police officers in Kent as a whole - which would be a devastating blow. The South Kent area has been at the forefront of Labour’s community policing initiative, benefiting enormously from the introduction of Police Community Support Officers on our streets. In fact anti-social behaviour is down nearly 20 per cent year on year since the advent of the PCSOs.

“I wonder what Mr Cameron’s colleagues in Kent would say to their constituents to justify these cuts? I urge them to leave our police alone and tell us where their cuts would fall.”