The Home Office has offered a “billion reasons” to counter accusations that Britain’s beleaguered prime minister is personally responsible for destroying the police service.

The government department has told Police Oracle that it takes “very seriously” the business of investment – not just in terms of funding but in officer morale and wellbeing.

It has come out on the offensive as Theresa May finds herself on the back foot – facing up to the worst week of her political life over the Brexit Commons debacle.

Policing, too, has reached a cliff-edge crisis point – worn down by the impact of austerity budget cuts and struggling to cope with minimal numbers which began on Mrs May’s watch as Home Secretary.

Overworked and overwhelmed ranks of CIDs in England and Wales admit being unable to “provide a proper service”, according to Police Federation's national detectives’ lead Karen Stephens.

Low pay, low morale and the stress of too much work are deterring young officers from becoming detectives as Ms Stephens, the federation's national forum secretary, lays the blame of slashed funding and loss of 20,000 officers firmly at the PM’s door.

But the Home Office maintains it is on the “front foot” in engaging with the police service, while recognising the changing demands officers are facing.

A Home Office spokesman told Police Oracle: “Police forces are working with the College of Policing to ensure all forces have adequate numbers of detectives, and we are funding the development of the Police Now detective entry scheme to help bridge the gap.

“We take police wellbeing and morale very seriously and have invested in programmes to help officers.”

That investment includes awarding £7.5 million to the College of Policing to develop a national wellbeing service, and an additional £1.5 million to fund Mind’s Blue Light wellbeing programme.

In addition, at the Police Superintendents’ September conference, current Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced approval of the NPCC’s proposals to allow chief constables to give a discretionary bonus payment of up to £4,000 a year for officers who take on “hard-to-fill roles” in the federated ranks, and to superintendents with especially challenging roles.

The proposals were made in response to recommendations made by the Police Remuneration Review Body and are time-limited through to September 2020.

Legislation is being amended to enable the payments to be made with retrospective effect from the beginning of September last year.

“There is £1 billion more of public money going into policing than three years ago and the Home Secretary has been clear that he will prioritise police funding,” added the Home Office spokesman.

“We recognise policing can be a very demanding job. Each chief constable has a duty to manage and support their workforce effectively, ensuring the welfare of all officers and staff.”

Earlier this week Ms Stephens said while UK policing once boasted the “best service in the world”, she added: "Theresa May has destroyed the police service in this country.”

Last week former Shadow Policing Minister Jack Dromey blamed an “all-consuming Brexit” for the government pulling the plug on announcing next year’s round of police funding.