Boost to officer numbers

4 May 2020

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Geoff Bardell has welcomed the recruitment of 46 new officers at a time when the Force faces the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus crisis.

New Home Office figures show that the number of officers in Hertfordshire has risen from 2,077 to 2,123 since the Government launched its uplift programme in September.

The Force has a target of recruiting 91 new officers in Year 1 of the programme, with 6,000 being taken on across the whole of England and Wales.

Geoff said: “This is an encouraging start to the new recruitment drive with 50 per cent of our target of 91 new officers already on board. We welcome them all to the Force.

“It’s good news for our communities, who want more officers to keep them safe and to help them feel safe. The uplift will help us to deliver the day-to-day policing services in our communities at a time when we’re also facing the unprecedented challenges of coronavirus.”

The Government pledged to recruit 20,000 extra officers in England and Wales by 31 March 2023.

The new Home Office figures show that 3,005 officers have been recruited across England and Wales since the programme launched in September.

In total, forces recruited 6,435 officers from November 2019 to March 2020, including recruitment planned before the Government campaign was announced.

There is now a total of 131,596 officers, a five per cent increase on March 2019.

National Federation chair John Apter said: “While the support from the Home Secretary and Policing Minister to initiate the uplift programme is very welcome, we need reassurance that the Government will fund Years 2 and 3 of this programme and see this through to the end.

“I completely accept that as a result of the current crisis the Government has financial pressures, but policing must be a priority and a genuine increase of 20,000 officers is essential so my colleagues can keep the public safe.”