- Kate Griffiths MP has welcomed the announcement that 201 police officers have been recruited in Staffordshire since September 2019, bringing the total number of officers up to 1,849.
-
The latest figures are part of the Government’s drive to get 20,000 more police officers on the street by March 2023, and puts the Government on track to fulfil its manifesto commitment with 68 per cent of the target now met.
-
Across the 43 police forces, an additional 13,576 officers have been recruited, bringing the total number of police officers in England and Wales to 142,526 – where they are already having an impact in tackling crime and keeping communities safe.
The latest figures also show that the police are more representative of the communities they serve. More than four in ten new recruits since April 2020 are female and nearly 12 per cent of new recruits identify as belonging to a Black, Asian, Mixed or other minority ethnic group.
The 13,576 extra officers will support the Government’s crackdown on crime, which has seen the launch of the Beating Crime Plan and the passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill through the House of Commons.
Commenting, Kate Griffiths MP said:
“From my recent Burton and Uttoxeter Beating Crime Survey, I know just how appreciated by residents more police officers will be locally and in helping to crack down on crime in our area.
“The 201 additional recruits mean that there are now 1,849 police officers in Staffordshire, helping to pursue criminals and keep our neighbourhoods safe. I will continue to work with our local Police Team here in East Staffordshire and Staffordshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams, so that the Police’s resources are well-aligned with that of residents’ priorities.”
Commenting, Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
“When this Government took office in 2019, we made a promise to the British people to recruit 20,000 extra police officers to cut crime and keep communities safe - and we are delivering on that pledge.
“These extra officers are getting out on the streets helping to cut crime and protect communities up and down the country – and they are reflecting the communities they serve better than ever before, with the highest ever proportion of female officers and officers from diverse backgrounds out there making a difference.
“It is disappointing to see Labour Mayors in charge of some of our biggest police forces failing to meet their targets for recruiting more officers, particularly given how quick they are to tour TV studios demanding more help from the government for their own failures.”
“Our Beating Crime Plan will give these officers the powers they need to stop crimes happening, support victims and keep serious offenders in prison for longer – keeping the streets safer for all.”
