Police cost money if people dont want to pay the extra money then cuts are needed. Its as simple as that. When asked directly (when it matters not just a servey) people decide they dont want to pay extra taxes for increased police presence. In a referendum in Bedfordshire in May just short of 70% of the electroatre voted against a 32p-48p (depending on your banding) per week increase in council tax to fund the police.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32694166