Oldham MP Angela Rayner has slammed government cuts to neighbourhood policing as anti-social behaviour continues to blight local communities.

The Labour deputy leader, who represents Ashton and Failsworth, has criticised the lack of government action to curb antisocial behaviour and its drastic reduction in neighbourhood policing teams.

Government statistics show there has been a 41 per cent fall in the number of neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs in the North West in the last seven years.

In the year ending March 2015, the North West had 3,953 neighbourhood police officers and 1,706 PCSO’s under its wing, totalling 5,659.

However, the latest figures for the year ending March 2022 reveal there are 2,255 neighbourhood police officers and 1,057 PCSOs, totalling 3,312.

This amounts to an overall loss of 2,347 officers and PCSOs in 2022 compared to 2015.

And it is here where the MP has taken issue as she claims more neighbourhood police on the streets could wage against the tide of antisocial behaviour that blights communities across the UK.

Ms Rayner said: “Antisocial behaviour is a real blight on people’s lives and tackling it should be one of the government’s top priorities.

“There’s nothing quite like a visible police presence in your area to make you feel safe.

“We need to restore neighbourhood policing, with visible neighbourhood police hubs in all local areas, backed by new neighbourhood prevention teams made up of police, community support officers, youth workers and council staff.

“These teams would prioritise being visible on patrols, preventing crime before it happens and working with communities to address local problems.”

She said the teams would be able to pursue “serial perpetrators” of anti-social behaviour or low-level crime, as well as attending to matters such as broken windows, graffiti, fly-tipping or drug dealing.

Last year, more than 14 million people across the country reported graffiti, drug dealing and noisy neighbours and the MP said these prevention teams could also support victims of crime and anti-social behaviour.

She added: “In September 2020 the Home Secretary wrote to the Victims Commissioner to express her concern about ‘the serious impact that persistent anti-social behaviour can have on both individuals and communities’, yet there have been no specific reforms since that point.

“Britain deserves better.”

The Home Office has been approached for comment.