New Year’s Eve 2017: London to see fewer police at celebrations despite terror attacks this year

There will however be more armed officers deployed to key events in the capital

Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick recently described the force as 'stretched' (AFP)

There will be fewer police in London for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, despite four serious terror attacks in the capital this year.

But a larger number of armed police are to be deployed, Scotland Yard said.

Over 3,000 armed officers are expected to either patrol streets or operate undercover, and the force said there was no “specific threat” to the public.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Independent: “Whilst the Met will not discuss numbers, the plan has been developed to ensure the right assets are in the right places.”

Superintendent Nick Aldworth insisted the force would have the necessary resources “based on the threat”.

Speaking to The Telegraph he said: “We are providing a proportionate number of officers based on the threat, number of people coming, and the secure environment we've been able to build.

“We have fewer officers policing here but they represent the appropriate number of resources that we need.

The reduced overall number of police officers on duty for New Year’s Eve comes as new Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick has described police resources as “stretched”, and called for more funding.

“We need to focus on what matters most and violence on our streets is a big risk for Londoners,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Recorded crimes have risen by 13 per cent in a year, including a surge in acid attacks, stabbings, sexual offences and cyber crime.

The Metropolitan Police has already instructed officers to stop investigating some “low-level crimes” as it works to save £400m by 2020 and other forces are believed to be enacting or considering similar policies.

Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott said: “Everyone deserves to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve in safety. But it must be clear by now that Government cuts have left the police over-stretched.”