There are more police officers in England and Wales than ever before, new figures published today confirm.
The Conservatives have delivered on their 2019 manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 additional police officers by March 2023. This brings the total number to nearly 150,000 officers, more than 3,500 higher than the previous peak in 2010.
Here in Merseyside, 724 extra police officers have been recruited since September 2019, bringing the total number of officers up to 4,171.
Wallasey Councillor and former police officer, Lesley Rennie, said: "More police means safer streets and fewer crimes. These 724 extra officers means the Force can pursue more criminals and tackle anti-social behaviour, keeping neighbourhoods safe for the law-abiding majority in Wallasey and across Merseyside."
The Conservative Government’s Beating Crime Plan will deliver a safer Britain alongside record funding for our police, with a £17.2 billion policing budget for 2023–2024.
- This is alongside the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act which is giving the police and courts the powers they need to tackle serious crime head on.
- We are also delivering our Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, backed by £100 million in funding, making our streets and neighbourhoods safer for women and girls.
- Since 2010, crime excluding fraud has been cut by over 50 per cent – making our communities safer. Theft has been reduced by 20 per cent and domestic burglary by 30 per cent.
- 90,000 knives off our streets through stop and search, surrender initiatives and targeted police action since 2019.
