David Cameron dug in his heels today to insist that cuts will go ahead to the policing budget of the Met and other forces.
The Prime Minister insists that there is enough inefficiency for big savings to be made without harming the forces' ability to deal with riots or day-to-day policing.
However, Labour leader Ed Miliband joined London Mayor Boris Johnson's call for a rethink of planned 20 per cent savings, amid claims that 1,800 officers could be axed in the capital.
Writing in the Evening Standard, Mr Miliband warned: "The security of London's citizens, their ability to go about their lives and conduct their businesses with freedom from fear, is the paramount concern."
An Evening Standard poll of Londoners last October revealed opposition to police cuts was deep-seated among the public long before the riots.
Six out of 10 people said policing should "never" be axed - in stark contrast to high support for savings in other public sector areas and two-to-one backing for housing benefit cuts. Mr Johnson was today meeting the cross-party London group of MPs, some of whom were planning to raise concerns about the cuts.
Senior Liberal Democrats have joined the opposition to the cuts. They include deputy leader Simon Hughes and home affairs spokesman Tom Brake, both London MPs.
Mr Brake warned of "additional pressures" on police after the riots.
However, Downing Street sources said the cuts were non-negotiable and denied that front-line policing would suffer. "We are aware this is a difficult issue but we are confident we can make efficiencies without hitting the front line," one said.
Ministers say only 12 per cent of police are ever on "front-line duty" at any time and there are substantial backroom savings to be made.
Home Office Minister James Brokenshire also refused to reconsider the cuts when he met a delegation of London Labour MPs last night, including deputy leader Harriet Harman. Mr Johnson has protected police numbers in London for the period up to the Olympics. But Labour say 900 officers have gone in the past year and 1,800 officers are likely to be axed over the next few years.
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The Government is seeking to reform the way forces are run including reviewing pay and introducing elected Police and Crime Commissioners. Mr Miliband said: "The Prime Minister must understand the concern there is about the reduction in police numbers.
"He must undertake to review the decisions made about police numbers and budgets."
