A MUGGING victim has called for more bobbies on the beat after a report revealed only one in ten officers are on the frontline at peak times.

Figures released by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roger Baker show almost 88 per cent of officers and PCSOs are “invisible” to the public at three busy times in one day.

Thames Valley Police is in line with the UK national average of 12 per cent.

Gerry Webb, 65, of Long Ground, Greater Leys, claims he was mugged four times across a 12-month period four years ago, with offenders knocking him out of his wheelchair and beating him up.

He claims he was not visited by police.

Mr Webb said: “These figures are absolutely ridiculous. I got no help at all when I was mugged.

“I’m not surprised almost 88 per cent of officers are invisible at busy times.

“You see patrols around here, but I can’t remember the last time we saw an officer actually walking the beat. Policing has changed a lot, and not always for the better.”

But police said he did not report a mugging, only problems with anti-social behaviour.

Shift patterns, court proceedings, office work and training are among the reasons why officers may not be out in the community.

Chief constable Sara Thornton said that her officers were being deployed to the “right areas at the right time”.

She said: “Although the report mainly provides the national picture it is important that one also considers the local context. Thames Valley Police has a relatively small workforce in proportion to populations in other parts of the country, but the fact that the visibility and availability of our officers is above the national average demonstrates our commitment to frontline policing.

“We want our officers out on the street, providing a visible and reassuring presence to the public.

“We want them on the ground to respond and deal with crime as and when it happens in our communities.

“However we must also recognise, as the report points out, that there are many less visible aspects of policing that are vital to protecting our community and ensuring that the visible presence is supported.”

The report, called Demanding Times, revealed both Bedfordshire and Devon and Cornwall forces were at the bottom of the table with only nine per cent of officers on the frontline.

Merseyside Police topped the table, with 17 per cent of uniformed staff visible to the public.

Mr Baker said: “Not every person in a front line police role will be visible or available to the public.

“They maybe at work but not in uniform or off-shift. However, the public are interested in seeing the police in their community.”