Jane Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, has welcomed the announcement that 740 police officers have been recruited in the West Midlands since September 2019, bringing the total number of officers to nearly 7,500.
The latest figures are part of the Government’s drive to recruit 20,000 more police officers across the country by 2023.
In total, an extra 9,814 police officers have been recruited across all 43 police forces in England and Wales, where they are already having an impact in tackling crime and keeping communities safe.
The recruitment drive is also helping to make the police more representative of the communities they serve. More than 6,000 female officers have been recruited since April 2020, making up for than four in ten of all new recruits.
There are also more black, Asian and other ethnic minorities employed as officers across forces than at any other time in the country’s history, making up over one in ten of the new recruits.
This builds on the action taken by the Government since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister two years ago – including boosting police funding to a record £15.8 billion, passing the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill through the House of Commons, and delivering £45 million through the Safer Streets Fund to make neighbourhoods secure.
Jane said: “I am thrilled to see the progress being made on delivering the Government’s pledge to recruit 20,000 more police officers by 2023. We can already see the difference they are making in the West Midlands, where 740 extra officers have been recruited.
“Issues around crime and policing are constantly being raised with me by my constituents in Wolverhampton North East, so these extra police officers will help to cut crime, keep neighbourhoods secure and reassure the law-abiding majority that they are safe.
“My campaign to save Wednesfield police station is also continuing, and I know many people want to see a more localised police presence across Wolverhampton. I will continue to push for more officers and resources for our city.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I am delighted we are already almost half-way there in delivering our commitment of 20,000 more police officers to fight crime by 2023.
“These figures aren’t just numbers. It means that thousands more police are out in communities protecting people, making our streets safer and supporting victims through some of the most difficult experiences of their lives.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “It is fantastic that we are well on track to meet our target of recruiting 20,000 extra police officers by 2023. These 9,814 officers are already making a difference in neighbourhoods up and down the country, bearing down on criminals and keeping people safe.
“This increase in police numbers and the Beating Crime Plan we launched yesterday show the Government’s determination to back the police, give them the powers they need to take away knives, shut down drug gangs and protect communities and vulnerable people from harm.”
ENDS