Remembrance Day parades under threat after government cuts to police budget

Labour shadow home secretary Andy Burnham has called on Theresa May to ensure there are enough police officers to organise Remembrance Day parades as cuts to forces are being scaled down.

The Queen will join Prime Minister David Cameron and leader of the opposition to lay wreaths at the Cenotaph next week but marches and parades elsewhere are said to be threatened with cancellation if there are not enough police officers to control the events.

In a letter to the home secretary May, Leigh MP and former Labour leadership contestant Burnham said forces were being forced to choose which public events are offered police assistance.

"It has been brought to my attention that, for the first time, this is impacting on the police presence required for road closures at annual parades and wreath-laying Remembrance ceremonies," he wrote.

"Following the centenary of World War One, there has been increased interest in these events and they have an important place in our national life. This year, events in Yorkshire and Essex have been shortened and the 97th annual parade in Epping, attended by hundreds of local people each year, has been cancelled for lack of the necessary police resources.

"With only one week to go until the public will expect Remembrance Sunday events to take place around the country, I would ask you to ensure that police forces receive the extra resources they require so that every event can go ahead and allow people to honour the memory of service men and women."

A Government aide said the policing of Remembrance Day was a matter for chief constables.