New figures reveal that the UK police warned more than 1,900 people that their lives were under threat over the past four years.

According to the figures released by police under the Freedom of Information Act, at least 1,948 “threat to life” notices have been issued by forces across the UK since 2012. Subjects included men and women aged 17-74, the figures from 27 forces.

Reports say, the total number of warnings is likely to be much higher as police in West Midlands, Merseyside and Greater Manchester were among forces that refused to provide figures.

“The so-called Osman warnings – which are named after a high-profile case and tell intended victims of the threat against them – had proven highly effective in helping to protect people in most cases,” The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said.

Osman warnings are issued if police become aware of a real and immediate threat to the life of an individual. They were started after businessman Ali Osman was shot dead in east London in 1988 by a teacher who had previously said he was thinking of committing a massacre.

According to The Guardian, many forces did not reveal the number of Osman warnings issued because they said retrieving the data would cost too much. Some refused to provide details of the number of warnings because of concerns that the low figures involved may identify vulnerable people.

“The current insecurity is mainly rooted in low capacity of police,” London-based commentator Javier Farje told Press TV’s UK Desk.

He maintained that police are stretched to the limit mainly due to the budget cuts by the Conservative government.