AN MP is calling on the government to protect police officers from further cuts in Cumbria after discovering that numbers had fallen by three per cent in the last year.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron is urging the government to lay out its plans on police cuts.

Mr Farron, who is also leader of the Liberal Democrat party, has tabled a parliamentary question for the home secretary asking if she will set out her plans for Cumbria Police and to confirm if the force will face further reductions.

Mr Farron said: “Although the Conservatives scrapped their most damaging cuts to our police, these figures show that police numbers are still being slowly eroded.

"Compared to last year there are now 36 fewer officers patrolling our streets and keeping our area safe."

Figures obtained by Mr Farron reveal that Cumbria has seen a three per cent decrease in the number of its police officers in the past year.

The figures show that in March 2012, Cumbria had a total of 2100 officers in the county.

The following year saw that number plummet to 1979 before rising again to 2005 in 2014.

However, in 2015 it dropped down to 1981 and this year it has dropped further to just 1890 police personell.

Mr Farron is now calling on the government to reveal its plans for the upcoming year and has urged the home secretary not to unleash further cuts on Cumbria.

He said: “The government needs to explain what will happen to funding for our police force, and to reassure local people that police numbers will not be slashed further.

"Cumbria might not have a huge population but it covers a vast area, and that means officers are needed to cover it.

“Our police do a great job, but they need the resources to keep bobbies on the beat.”