The number of police community support officers (PCSO) in Waltham Forest has fallen dramatically in the last four years, new figures show.

There are currently 43 PCSOs working across 20 safer neighbourhood teams in Waltham Forest, compared to 108 in May 2010.

The figures released by the Mayor of London represent a 60 per cent fall in numbers.

However Boris Johnson has guaranteed 119 new police officers in the borough by 2015, taking the total to 579.

Jeanette Arnold, who represents Waltham Forest on the London Assembly, says the Mayor’s new policing model is eroding neighbourhood policing.

She said: "Despite promising us there would be one thousand more police officers in London, the truth is the Mayor has not only failed to deliver on his promise, but has made thousands of people redundant in the process.

"We have lost over 3,000 police officers in London. In terms of finances and numbers of police officers and PCSOs they have at their disposal, they are at the mercy of the Mayor and his shocking policies that have resulted in a reduction of police staff across London.

"Boris has already admitted that there may be flaws in his new community policing plan and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has reported the Met now has the third lowest visibility of officers in the country.

Ms Arnold also paid tribute to the hard work of borough commander Mark Collins in Waltham Forest for the "terrific results" they have made in fighting crime.

Stephen Greenhalgh, deputy mayor for policing and crime said:

"The Met is currently recruiting 5,000 police constables and that means London is going to see hundreds of new cops hitting the streets every month –with Waltham Forest getting an additional 119 officers by 2015 - a scenario most other forces could only dream of.

"We are committed to putting more officers on the streets, where and when they are needed, and, as recruitment continues, the Met will be 32,000-strong by next spring."

There was a slight decrease in overall reported crime in the borough in 2013.