Attempts to support London’s beleaguered police force must not leave Cornwall without sufficient officers, according to Falmouth MP Sarah Newton.

She was speaking as the Devon and Cornwall force confirmed it had sent 25 officers to help as disorder spreads through the capital and into cities across the country.

Mrs Newton said: “I am extremely worried by this situation. I was a councillor in Merton, and have been in London before when there have been riots.

“In the past it was political and there was, rightly or wrongly, a reason behind it, but this just seems to be pure criminality.

“I am following the situation carefully, but, while it is right to help out where we can, I do not want to see officers from Cornwall sent to London and leaving us understaffed here during a very busy time.

“We are blessed to live in a low crime area, but I do not want to see us treated as an area where officers can just be taken away at will.

“We have already seen police numbers cut, and we need our officers on the streets here during the busy period.”

Mrs Newton and other MPs have been recalled to parliament tomorrow from their summer holidays in response to the ongoing situation.