LAST week the people of Ealing may have missed an enormously significant moment when the Mayor of London froze City Hall's share of the council tax for an unprecedented second consecutive year, an achievement that should not be underestimated.

Instead there was much hullabaloo and gnashing of teeth from Boris's enemies about the supposed 'reduction' in police numbers over the next three years.

In fact, we are converting some administrative roles into civilian posts, which will result in more officers on the street at a lower cost - it's called efficiency.

What hasn't been said is that many police officers are fulfilling administrative and clerical roles. Is this the best use of their skills and training? Wouldn't we rather they were on the front line? Or should we maintain the almost 500 cops in the HR and computer departments?

There are currently 36,000 people at the Met classified as police officers. This is the highest number in the history of Scotland Yard. Our duty is to make sure as many of those officers as possible are out there, fighting crime on the front line.

Don't let politicians fool you with bogus arguments about numbers. Trust your own eyes and feelings.

If you see more cops on the street and you feel safer, then we are getting it right.

KIT MALTHOUSE Deputy Mayor for Policing