- Newly released figures show that 119 police officers have been recruited in Bedfordshire as part of the Conservative Government’s pledge to put 20,000 more officers on the streets by March 2023.
- Since the recruitment drive was launched in 2019, the 43 police forces across England and Wales have seen an additional 15,343 police officers recruited, putting the Government on track to deliver on its manifesto promise.
- This builds on the Conservative Government’s Beating Crime Plan and Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act – aimed at reducing crime, protecting victims and making the country safer.
Bedford & Kempston Conservative Association has welcomed the announcement that 119 police officers have been recruited in Bedfordshire since September 2019.
The latest figures are part of the Conservative Government’s drive to get 20,000 more police officers on the street by March 2023, and puts the Government on track to fulfil its manifesto commitment with 77 per cent of the target now met.
Across the 43 police forces, an additional 15,343 officers have been recruited – tackling crime and keeping communities safe across the country.
The latest figures also show that the police are more representative of the communities they serve. There are now more female police officers than since records began with over 50,000 women in forces across England and Wales. Of the recruits hired since April 2020, 42.5 per cent are women.
The 15,343 extra officers will support the Conservative Government’s crack down on crime, which has seen the launch of the Beating Crime Plan and the passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act – reducing crime, protecting victims, and making the country safer.
This Conservative Government is continuing to deliver on tackling crime – including boosting police funding to £16.9 billion and boosting police officer pay, with every police officer receiving a £1,900 uplift to their salary this year.
Commenting, Cllr Tom Wootton Mayoral candidate said:
“An additional 119 police on our streets since 2019 plays a huge role in pursing criminals, keeping neighbourhoods safe, protecting victims, and reassuring the law-abiding majority. Residents are telling me they’ve noticed a difference.
It’s great to have a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner in Bedfordshire. Festus is making a real difference for us.”
Commenting, Festus Akinbusoye (Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner) said:
“Bedfordshire Police has seen an increase in police numbers over the last year. With just over 1400 officers now in the ranks thank to the Conservative government's commitment to recruiting 20,000 additional officers nationally since 2019, Bedfordshire will see the highest number on record.”
“Festus Akinbusoye has set visible and proactive community policing as top priorities for the force. With the extra resources, Bedfordshire Police became the first police force in England and Wales to be rated as Outstanding by His Majesty's Inspectorate for how well it managed offenders in our communities.”
Commenting, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:
“As Home Secretary my first priority is to protect the British public from harm and I am absolutely steadfast in my determination to drive down crime.
“That’s why I am delighted the government is on track to deliver 20,000 additional police officers by March 2023, with 15,343 already recruited to bring criminals to justice.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for forces to become more representative of the communities they serve and I am heartened to see there are now over 50,000 women in forces across England and Wales for the first time.
“With the extra officers recruited I want to continue to see forces doubling down on tackling murder, serious violence and neighbourhood crimes which tear communities apart.”