​​​​​​Angelique Foster, Derbyshire Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate has welcomed the announcement that Derbyshire Police has been bolstered by an additional 67* officers since the Government launched the major police recruitment drive over a year ago.(*Sept 2019 to November 2020)

The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across Derbyshire up to 1827, meaning there are now more frontline officers on our streets to keep the public safe.

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. More than £500,000 from this fund was allocated for safer street project in Derbyshire.

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.

Commenting, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner commented:

“Getting more police officers onto our streets is one of the people’s priorities, and so I am delighted that in just over one year, this Conservative Government has already delivered extra officers across Derbyshire. I am committed to making sure the benefit of this increase is felt in all parts of our County and Derby City. Every one of these officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe – and I know that many more will follow as this Government continues to deliver on its promise to recruit 20,000 more over the next three years, with an extra 83 Government funded police officers planned to be recruited in Derbyshire in 21/22.

“By backing our police with the funding, powers and resources they need, we are keeping the public and our communities safe, so that people everywhere can live their lives free from the fear of crime.”