Aldershot MP Leo Docherty welcomed today's announcement that, as part of the first stage of an unprecedented drive to increase numbers by 20,000 across the country, local police force Hampshire Constabulary will be able to recruit 156 new police officers next year
Leo said: "I am delighted the Home Office has today confirmed Hampshire Constabulary will be able to recruit 156 new police officers as part of the first stage of an unprecedented drive to increase officer numbers by 20,000 across the country over the next three years.
This is in addition to those hired to fill existing vacancies, and on top of the over 200 officers being recruited this year in Hampshire because of the £1bn increase in police funding for 2019-20. I know local residents want to see more officers on the beat on our streets and in our communities - this is the people’s priority - and that’s exactly what this Government is delivering."
Strengthening police numbers is a priority for the Government, which is providing £750 million to support forces to recruit up to 6,000 additional officers onto our streets by the end of 2020-21, the first stage in this new uplift. This is thanks to the additional funding announced by the Chancellor in the Spending Review.
The Home Secretary set out her vision for policing yesterday (8th October) when she chaired the second meeting of the National Policing Board, involving representatives of frontline officers and police leaders. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "The public are clear they want to see more police officers on their streets, whether they live in the city or the countryside. Every single police force in England and Wales will be able to recruit additional officers this year to help keep all of our communities safer."
The National Policing Board, set up by the Prime Minister in July to drive progress in recruitment and other major policing issues, yesterday heard that all forces are accelerating their recruitment already recruiting and the website for the campaign, ‘Be a Force For All’, has been visited more than 215,000 times.
Today’s recruitment targets announcement follows:
- the establishment of a £25 million Safer Streets Fund;
- the Home Office extending a pilot to make it simpler for forces to use Section 60 serious violence stop and search powers and announcing a £20 million package of actions cracking down on county lines drug gangs;
- £10 million of funding to increase the number of officers carrying Taser to keep themselves and the public safe; and
- confirmed plans for a police covenant will focus on the physical protection of officers, their health and wellbeing and support for their families
There will also be opportunities for Police and Crime Commissioners to bid for funding to prevent burglary and theft in crime hotspots through initiatives that could include interventions to improve home security, such as installing better locks and gating alleyways, and making streets better lit at night, for example.
Pictured Leo with Police on patrol in Farnborough