Rachel Reeves issued stark warning for police funding ahead of spending review: 'We are facing a real crisis!'

"If the Government isn't prepared to put its money where its mouth is, and it's talked an awful lot over the last few years while it's been campaigning and now in Government about the importance of community safety and the amazing work that it's going to do, then we are facing a real crisis," she said.

Atkinson explained: "In Surrey and right across most police forces in England and Wales, over 80 per cent of our budget goes on wages, that leaves, obviously, less than 20 per cent to go on everything else that we have to do."

The commissioner acknowledged that inadequate pay remains a persistent issue across public services: "Police officers are never paid enough.

"I don't think anybody in our public services are paid enough. I don't think nurses are paid enough, I don't think our firefighters are paid enough, I don't think our teachers are paid enough."

Atkinson claimed that modern policing responsibilities have expanded far beyond traditional crime-fighting duties, placing unprecedented pressure on officers.

She told GB News: "It used to be the case the police officers were dealing with fights on a Friday night, burglary, theft, all of those things. They're now dealing with vast amounts of domestic abuse, unfortunately, they're dealing with sexual assault cases in a way that policing never had to deal with before."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Rachel Reeves could launch '10p fuel duty hike' within months in blow to petrol and diesel drivers
• Labour deserve 'no credit' for 'mugging pensioners' after Winter Fuel U-turn: 'People shivering!'
• ‘Wicked and nasty!’ Rachel Reeves branded ‘absolute clown’ in explosive Winter Fuel U-turn rant

She noted that Conservative governments had insisted police follow every reasonable line of inquiry when crimes occur, adding to the workload.

Atkinson recalled: "We're asking them to do an awful lot, and Conservative Governments, my own party, they insisted, quite rightly, in my view, that police follow every reasonable line of inquiry when a crime took place that there was a victim there. So that's a real challenge.

"It's wider than policing, the criminal justice system is a real problem. Police are having to carry a hell of a lot more than that for longer."

The commissioner also addressed misconceptions about police priorities, stating that suggestions officers spend time "policing tweets" instead of tackling burglaries or shoplifting don't reflect reality.

Atkinson claimed: "[Crimes] have a massive impact, but let's inject a bit of truth into this as well. The idea that burglaries aren't being dealt with or shoplifting isn't being dealt with because police are policing tweets, let's not pretend that that actually is happening.

"That would absolutely be a waste of police resources and every other resource, but I don't think that that's happening in the way that some newspapers and some commentators are suggesting that it is. But it is a matter of prioritising. All policing is a matter of prioritising, that's not new."

Looking ahead to Wednesday's budget announcement, Atkinson expressed cautious optimism whilst remaining sceptical about pre-budget promises.

She concluded: "I really hope the Government on Wednesday are going to give a settlement that's fair, that's going to recognise that they're asking us to do more and more. And we do need senior officers and chief officers to be backing our officers when they're out there doing the right thing, that is so important."