Officer numbers up as Uplift Programme continues

27 October 2022

The Force now has 153 more officers than it did this time last year.

Statistics from the Home Office showed the Force had 2,401 serving officers at the end of September compared with 2,248 in October 2021.

The Home Office said a total of 15,343 officers had now been recruited across England and Wales from funding for the Police Uplift Programme which aims to take on 20,000 new officers by March 2023.

Nottinghamshire Police Federation chair Simon Riley said rising officer numbers were to be welcomed but warned the number of officers leaving the Force and the attrition rate of newcomers had to be taken into account when looking at Police Uplift Programme data.

He said: “We always knew that uplift would only really replace the officers we have lost over 12 years of cuts but nevertheless we have been supportive of the programme and welcome the increase in officer numbers.

“But unfortunately it is not the answer to all the problems faced by policing and because the issues go far deeper than the headcount.”

Simon said he was encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by new recruits and was happy to see them join the Force.

“It is always a pleasure to welcome new recruits and I wish everyone of them a long and happy career in the police force,” he said.

“It can be the best, most rewarding job in the world but it is certainly not without its challenges at the moment.

“The new Prime Minister and Home Secretary have to show they are willing to give their full backing to policing and that means making proper investments in the service, ensuring every force is fully resourced and above all overhauling the discredited pay mechanism which has seen our members suffer real terms pay cuts for far too long. 

“Uplift is only one aspect of what policing needs but it is a step in the right direction and the fact that we have more officers in Nottinghamshire today than we did 12 months ago should be welcomed.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “The Government has pledged to invest more £3.5bn in policing between 2020 and 2023 in order to recruit 20,000 additional officers.

“Additional officers will support forces in tackling crime and making communities safer.

“The Police Uplift Programme is one of a range of initiatives the Government has implemented to support policing.”