Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has welcomed the announcement that more than 100 new police officers have been recruited in Cumbria since September 2019.
The latest figures are part of the Conservative 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.
Since the recruitment drive was launched in 2019, the 43 police forces across England and Wales have seen an additional 13,576 police officers recruited, putting the Government on track to deliver on its manifesto promise.
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 Conservative Government’s crack down 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.
This builds on the action already taken by the Conservative Government since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister two years ago – including boosting police funding to a record £15.8 billion and delivering £70 million through the Safer Streets Fund to make neighbourhoods secure.
Dr Neil Hudson said:
“Having worked with our local police forces, I know just how valuable more boots on the ground will be in tackling criminality in Cumbria.
“I’m grateful for the important work that Cumbria police do tackling criminal activity and keeping people safe. Just last month the force took part in the largest rural policing operations of its kind, showing a pro-active presence in hard-to-reach communities.
“In January I also raised the issue of rural crime in Parliament. From vehicle and machinery theft to poaching and property damage, rural criminality is the scourge of our communities. I trust the additional 117 police officers can help pursue criminals, keep neighbourhoods safe and reassure the law-abiding majority.”
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.”
