Cuts to local police forces will be the “final nail in the coffin for neighbourhood policing”, according to a London Assembly member.

The Metropolitan Police will consider plans to axe all police community support officers (PCSO’s) at its management board meeting on the September 29, it has been revealed.

In May 2010 Waltham Forest had 108 PCSO’s but according to the latest Met figures this has already been slashed to 36 a loss of 67 per cent.

Further cuts could see neighbourhood policing teams reduced to just a single police officer for each ward despite having six officers only three years ago.

PCSOs have more than 30 powers, including the power to direct traffic and pedestrians and the power to confiscate alcohol but no power of arrest.

Instead they can require a suspect to remain with then until a police officer arrives

Labour London Assembly Member for Waltham Forest Jennette Arnold called on the Mayor to halt the cuts and consult with local communities.

She said: “This is the clearest sign yet that Government cuts are decimating London’s police force. Axing all of London’s PCSOs would be the final nail in the coffin for neighbourhood policing and mean far fewer officers on the beat in our communities acting as the eyes and ears of the Met.

“Boris Johnson has already cut neighbourhood police teams from six officers to only two, axing every PCSO would leave just a single officer left to police vast areas of the capital.

“With at least £800m of expected cuts hanging over the Met, there is a real question as to whether the police service as we know it will exist in ten years’ time.”