Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn has attacked Prime Minister Theresa May and home secretary Amber Rudd for trying to “protect communities on the cheap” – following the spate of violent muggings in Archway.

At a meeting on Wednesday with Junction ward officers, worried neighbours complained about a lack of cops on the streets. But the officers are powerless as the force’s budget has been cut back so heavily: £600million since 2010, when Ms May was home secretary.

And Labour leader Mr Corbyn said in a statement to the Gazette: “I’m very concerned about the increased public anxiety. I know it’s a major issue for constituents, and the council and police are working very hard to tackle it.

“We can’t escape the fact that council and police budgets have been cut and I have repeatedly told the Prime Minister and the home secretary that they can’t protect our communities on the cheap, the resources have to be made available to keep people safe.”