Leading North East Labour figures have slammed the Government for 13 years of austerity that has left Northumbria Police facing a perilous financial situation.
Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuiness was among those to condemn the way the force had been funded since 2010 at a meeting of the police and crime panel on Tuesday.
Members felt that Northumbria was being treated unfairly with officer numbers yet to reach 2010 levels - while some forces now boast record levels.