Over the past month we have seen horrendous stabbings and violent robberies in Hampstead and Kilburn, and the criminality has left many of those I represent feeling utterly helpless.

I therefore read the government's latest "law and order" announcements with keen interest.

The Conservatives oversaw a reduction of 19,000 police across England and Wales between 2010-2016. Given this, it is a shame Boris Johnson's promise of 20,000 "new" police officers by 2022 will just about bring us to the presence of policing experienced under the last Labour government. Nobody should be fooled by the con at the heart of his announcements.

Core funding from central government to London boroughs has fallen by 63 per cent, totalling to £4bn in the last decade. Brent council has been forced into impossible decisions, with £164m cut from essential services. We've seen Brent police force merged with neighbouring boroughs.

Many constituents have specifically expressed anxiety that so few cases seem to be making it to court. The prime minister's "remedy" is to offer £85m over two years to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). However, the 2018-19 CPS budget was £250m less in real terms than in 2010. The new prime minister should be commended for recognising the impact of policies he has supported, but called out for offering such a paltry sum.

The Conservatives have cut our criminal justice system to the bone. No one should be fooled by their desperate attempt to convince the public the situation on our streets is not of their own making.

Should there be a general election soon, I will be proud to stand on a Labour manifesto that recognises and mitigates the dangers to our communities' security.