ELVIS68 - “...but something got to be done about how many police are available...”
I agree that something should be done but I suspect that whatever Government we get next it'll be cut, cuts, and more cuts.
One thing they could do is create a 'charging' division in the Police, staffed by civilians. This would free up the Constables. The biggest bottleneck in the whole system is the 'arrest-detain-questioning' procedure. Once you've arrested someone, that's you stuck in the station for the next three.... plus hours. You'll either be completing paperwork, liaising with the CPS or waiting for the accused's legal representative to turn up, or waiting for a doctor... and waiting... and waiting. And you can't leave in case they turn up the second you're gone....
Farce.
If the Constables could drop the miscreants off, explain the charges to whomever was dealing with the case and then get back out onto the street, you would see an tangible difference.