Hampshire Constabulary will recruit 156 new police officers by 2020-21 as part of the Government’s drive to strengthen police numbers across England and Wales.
The Home Office has confirmed that in 2020-21 6000 police officers will be recruited across England and Wales as part of the pledge to recruit 20 000 more police officers in the next three years.
£750 million will support forces in this first stage of the recruitment drive also funding training and kit costs.
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.
“This is the people’s priority and it is exactly what the Government is delivering.
“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.”
This is part of the Governments commitment to help keep our streets safer and tackle serious and violent crime. Apart from the pledge to strengthen police numbers, the Government has committed further funding to set up Violence Reduction Units, introduce tougher sentences for serious offenders and better protection for police officers.
Hampshire Constabulary has recently also been granted £880 000 to tackle violent crime following a £1.26 million grant announced early in the year, in February, for Hampshire to recruit and train more than 200 new officers and 65 police staff investigators.
John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said:
“Yesterday’s meeting was constructive and it is important that we, as the largest police staff association, were at the table to ensure our members were represented.
“Investment in policing is long overdue and for the first time we now have the actual number of officers each local force will increase by in the next year.
“These figures have been based on the current funding formula models and while this method is not perfect, I accept it is the only solution available to deliver the numbers quickly in year one.
“We now need to ensure that the formula is revisited for future years to ensure a fairer allocation of officers across all forces, but this is certainly a positive start and will provide a much-needed boost to my members and the communities they serve.”
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, recently hosted a Crime and Policing event which was attended by over 200 people in the Gosport constituency where residents could meet with representatives from 19 organisations including Hampshire Constabulary, Victim Support, Neighbourhood Watch and Street Scene to ask questions.
Caroline commented:
“Its vitally important that my constituents feel safe on our streets. I am really pleased that the new Government has recognised and heard the concerns of the public and are looking to provide better protection for residents.
“These new police recruits in Hampshire will help drive up our local police presence and drive our crime down. I look forward to seeing their positive affect across Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent.”
