Mr Farrar said:

"We are very disappointed in the move made today by the UK Statistics Authority to remove the National Statistics designation on statistics arising out of recorded crime data.

"It comes at a time when the service is seeking to make crime stats more transparent, more accountable and assure the public of both the figures' accuracy and their integrity.

"Statistics play a vital role in holding the police accountable for the work they do, assuring the public of the service's ongoing fight against crime and reassuring them with regard to the safety of their communities.

"Our work on improving the production of stats will go on regardless of today's decision, and we hope to see the National Statistics designation restored very shortly."