SAFETY is being compromised by a shortfall of 16 police officers, according to recently published figures.

A formula calculated by the number of incidents each month and the demand each incident places on police is used by the Greater London Assembly to check that each Metropolitan Police force is up to strength.

Latest figures suggest Hounslow needs 435 officers to keep crime under control compared to the 419 officers currently serving the borough.

A new formula set to come in with the new financial year in April will calculate the figures using broader factors. Social deprivation, youth crime, drugs-related crime, number of night establishments such as bars and clubs and the number of people visiting or passing through the borough will all be taken into account.

The new formula will provide a "more balanced" picture of the scenario according to a GLA researcher.

Deputy chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Richard Barnes, said: "I admit it's worrying but we are managing to reverse the problem.

"Between May 1997 and the beginning of this year a figure of 28,000 officers was reduced to about 25,500, but with free public transport and wages weighted for London, we're confident of turning it round."

Mohammed Chaudhray, chairman of the Hounslow Police Community Consultative Group, said the borough may escape the deficit if the Met agrees to alter its allocation programme which currently limits the number of officers the borough receives.

He said: "The most recent figure I have heard is that there are now 408 officers in Hounslow. I will be attending the Metropolitan Police Service meeting next Wednesday so it would be premature for me to comment. Whichever way they cut the cake it seems Hounslow is getting a bigger slice than before. We feel that whatever is decided it will mean more resources."

Borough liaison officer, Chief Inspector Wynne Jones, agreed it was 'too early to speculate', but said: "I anticipate Hounslow will benefit from any adjustment of allocation, but to what degree I don't know."