Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has condemned cuts to police, in a hard-hitting speech following the Manchester terror attack.
He said: "Austerity has to stop at the A&E ward and at the police station door. We cannot be protected and cared for on the cheap."
And Mr Corbyn promised that a Labour government would reverse the massive cuts to police forces that have taken place under the Conservatives.
His speech marked the end of the general election truce between the major parties that followed the suicide bomb attack at Manchester arena.
Mr Corbyn didn't directly criticise the Conservatives or Tory leader Theresa May.
But he said the UK needed more police, not less, to keep us safe. Police numbers have fallen under the Conservatives, including during the period when Theresa May was Home Secretary and responsible for policing.
Mr Corbyn said: "There is no question about the seriousness of what we face. Over recent years, the threat of terrorism has continued to grow.
"You deserve to know what a Labour Government will do to keep you and your family safe.
"Our approach will involve change at home and change abroad.
"At home, we will reverse the cuts to our emergency services and police. Once again in Manchester, they have proved to be the best of us.
"Austerity has to stop at the A&E ward and at the police station door. We cannot be protected and cared for on the cheap.
"There will be more police on the streets under a Labour Government. And if the security services need more resources to keep track of those who wish to murder and maim, then they should get them."
Police services have been some of the biggest losers in the spending cuts introduced by the Conservatives, and the Conservative-led coalition government, since 2010.
The number of police employed by West Midlands Police fell from 8,626 in March 2010 to to 6,880 in September 2016, according to official figures published by the Home Office.
This is a fall of 20 per cent.
The number of police employed by West Mercia fell from 2,391 to 2,093. Warwickshire Police numbers are down from 973 to 853.
The number of civilian staff employed by West Midlands police has also fallen, from 3,199 in September 2015 to 3,082 in September 2016, a fall of 1.2%.
Labour politicians say that this affects police too, as they end up having to take on some of the work that staff used to do.
And the number of Police Community Support Officers employed by West Midlands police fell from 570 in September 2015 to 450 in September 2016, a fall of 21.1%.
Mr Corbyn also called for a new approach to foreign policy, with the UK staying out of foreign wars and deploying the military only "when there is a clear need and only when there is a plan".
He highlighted the the NATO intervention in Libya, backed by the UK and France, which led to the fall of dictator Colonel Gaddafi.
Mr Corbyn said: "We will also change what we do abroad. Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services have pointed to the connections between wars our government has supported or fought in other countries, such as Libya, and terrorism here at home."
In his speech, Mr Corbyn suggested the Manchester bombing meant politicians should not accuse each other of lacking patriotism.
He said: "We cannot carry on as though nothing happened in Manchester this week.
"So, let the quality of our debate, over the next fortnight, be worthy of the country we are proud to defend. Let’s have our arguments without impugning anyone’s patriotism and without diluting the unity with which we stand against terror."
Speaking in advance of the speech, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: "A few days ago, a young man built a bomb, walked into a pop concert and deliberately slaughtered children. Our children. Families are grieving. A community is in shock.
"Jeremy Corbyn has chosen to use that grotesque act to make a political point. I don't agree with what he says, but I disagree even more that now is the time to say it. That's not leadership, it's putting politics before people at a time of tragedy."
