CUTS to police numbers on the streets of Enfield should be reconsidered to avoid crime rising in the borough, an MP has argued.

Met Police chiefs are planning to axe 300 safer neighbourhood sergeant posts in the next two years across London, almost halving the number currently in post.

The proposals will save around £15 million as the force makes severe cuts to its budget, but have come under fire for damaging frontline police services.

Andy Love, Labour MP for Edmonton, called on the Coalition Government and Mayor of London Boris Johnson to step in and prevent the cuts to police numbers on the capital.

He said: “Reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in Edmonton and across Enfield is a top concern of many of my constituents.

“There is a direct correlation between the number of police officers on the street and the amount of crime committed.

“To reduce the numbers of officers in the area is very short-sighted and will only leave residents at risk and potentially allow crime to soar.”

Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem London assembly member, described the move as an “insult to Londoners”, and suggested budgeting to halve the number of SNT sergeants pre-empted a review of local policing that is still ongoing.

The Met said no decisions have been taken on the future of the ward-based teams, and added the draft budget only includes an “assumption” of what can be saved on supervision in the next two years.

It said the force remains committed to the SNT model, but said: “In the light of our duty to respond to the fiscal challenges facing the entire public sector, we are in the middle of a review process that is looking to build on our current model whilst improving efficiency, intelligence sharing, and problem solving across boroughs.

“This review is focusing on the location, function and structure of SNTs - which includes an assessment of the most effective management structure and composition of our teams.”

The review of the model is set to conclude this month, with the results continuing to be discussed locally through March and April before any final decisions are made.

Enfield Police declined to comment specifically on the possible ramifications for local teams, other than to say no decisions had yet been made on cutting sergeants or restructuring safer neighbourhood teams.