Police numbers are at an all-time high, the government has said.

Home secretary David Blunkett released new figures on Tuesday showing the number of officers in England and Wales now stands at 138,155.

The new total is due to an increase of 14,000 recruits over three and a half years with 6,000 signing up in the last year alone.

"Police numbers continue to rise and it is vital that we make the best use of them to make a real difference to quality of life in our communities," said Blunkett.

Included in the figures were 3,243 community support officers, 11,037 special constables and 63,105 staff such as forensics officers. In total England and Wales police forces employ more than 212,000 people.

Reform

Blunkett said reduced bureaucracy and new technology would help officers become more efficient but he wanted to take his reform programme further.

"I want to build on the progress we have already made by redefining the relationship of the police with the people they serve, making them locally accountable and more responsive to local needs," the home secretary said.

"Building trust and confidence is essential if we are to move to a position where communities are actively supporting and working with police to tackle crime and disorder in their neighbourhoods."

More wanted

Shadow home secretary David Davis questioned why the increase in numbers had not been bigger given the steep rises in council tax.

"The simple fact is, the numbers they are talking about are not nearly enough. Council tax payers have already paid for an extra 5,000 police officers than they have already got. Where has that money gone?" he asked.

"Up and down the country violent crime and sexual crimes are on the rise - and some communities never see police walking the beat. We welcome the initiative today but it does not go far enough."