AN additional 91 police officers on the streets of Cheshire since the Government launched a major recruitment drive over a year ago has been welcomed by John Dwyer, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate and local MP Andy Carter.
The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across Cheshire up to 2080, meaning there are now more frontline officers on the streets to keep the public safe.
Mr Dwyer says that since the launch of the Government’s recruitment campaign one year ago, a total of 6,620 extra officers have joined police forces across England and Wales.
These statistics confirm that the Government remains fully on track to meet its manifesto commitment of recruiting 20,000 extra officers by 2023 and has hit the target of recruiting 6,000 new officers by March 2021 well ahead of schedule.
The new statistics also show that the police workforce is now more diverse than ever before, with 10.2 per cent of new recruits identifying as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, and with 9,871 of all officers now being from these groups.
This recruitment drive is at the centre of the Government’s commitment to back the police with more resources, powers and support to keep the public and their communities safe.
Alongside the recruitment campaign, the Government has announced the second round of the Safer Streets Fund, backed by £20 million of new money, to crack down on neighbourhood crimes that blight our communities. This funding will enable PCC’s and Local Authorities to make crime cutting interventions in residential areas to ensure people feel safe in their communities.
Other steps to support frontline police officers include a £636 million funding boost for police forces this year, bringing the total for police funding up to £15.8 billion, boosting police pay by 2.5 per cent, equivalent to a constable receiving an extra £1,100, and enshrining a new police covenant into law, which will offer enhanced support and protection for frontline officers.
Mr Dwyer said: “I think you will be interested to note that I left an establishment of 2011 officers in 2016, with a budget to recruit a further 70 officers during the 2016/2017 financial year. Sadly the current incumbent, David Keane, failed to recruit further numbers, allowing the establishment to stagnate. At 31 March 2019 Cheshire Constabulary is recorded as having 2006 officers.
“I am delighted therefore that the Police and Crime Commissioner was spurred into action by the Conservative Government initiative to recruit 20,000 more officers across England and Wales. This initiative was launched in the autumn of 2019, and at 31 March 2020 Cheshire Constabulary is recorded as having 2,088 officers. There is no doubt that the establishment would have continued to stagnate without this Government incentive.
Warrington South MP Andy Carter said: “Its great to hear that Cheshire Constabulary has already recruited over 2000 extra officers as part of our manifesto commitment to bolster emergency services. I am very grateful for the hard work and dedication officers across Warrington and Cheshire have shown during this pandemic and for continuing to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in our community.
“At this time of national emergency, these additional officers have never been so important. By backing our police with the funding and resources they need, we will keep the public and our communities safe, so that people everywhere can live their lives free from the fear of crime. Policing is a rewarding career and Cheshire Police are still recruiting.”
