London Mayor Ken Livingstone has promised another 1,000 police will be recruited next year.

The new bobbies will add to the 35,000 currently on London streets, up by 10,000 since he became mayor, Mr Livingstone said.

The announcement came during the mayor's budget speech, which has been savaged by Conservative critics.

The Tories said the budget was "miserable and old fashioned" and themselves suggested an extra 500 police.

Green Party member Jenny Jones was skeptical about any increase in police numbers, saying officers were being siphoned off for counter-terrorism and Olympics security rather tackling street level issues affecting Londoners every day.

Meanwhile, Mr Livingstone's Conservative opponent for mayor, Boris Johnson says he would chair the Metropolitan Police Authority if elected.

Mr Johnson said he wanted to make sure the police listened closer to what Londoners want.