Merseyside Police have, so far, recruited 251 extra officers, as part of the national plan to boost police numbers with 20,000 extra officers by 2023.
The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across Merseyside up to 3,698, 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 5,824 extra officers have joined police forces across England and Wales.
Councillor Les Rowlands (Conservative, Heswall & Gayton Ward) is a member of Merseyside's Police & Crime Panel: "Since I joined the Police & Crime Panel, I have been determined to make sure the Police Commissioner works with the Government to boost police numbers, and for us to see a difference on the streets of Wirral.
“Every one of these extra officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe – and I know that many more will follow as we deliver on the promise to recruit 20,000 more over the next three years.
“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.”
Alongside the recruitment campaign, police pay is increasing by 2.5 per cent this year, equivalent to a constable receiving an extra £1,100, providing officers with an increase above inflation for the second year running, the largest pay rise in a decade.
A new police covenant is also being put into law, which will offer enhanced support and protection for frontline officers, and is bringing forward legislation to double the maximum sentence for those convicted of assaults on frontline staff including police officers, firefighters and paramedics.
Home Secretary Priti Patel added: "Getting more police officers on our streets is a priority for the British people – therefore a priority for me.
“Just one year since we began recruiting, I am delighted that there are nearly 6,000 of the 20,000 additional officers on our streets cutting crime and making your communities safer.
“As we’ve seen from the frontline response to coronavirus, the work of each and every police officer helps to save lives and I would like to extend my gratitude to them, and to the new recruits, for joining the police and being a part of this heroic national effort.”
