72 extra police officers have joined Staffordshire police over the past year
'Every one of these officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe'
Staffordshire Police has welcomed 72 new police offices to the force over the past 12 months as part of the Government's plan to recruit more than 6,000 across England and Wales.
The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across Staffordshire up to 1,648 - meaning there are now more frontline officers on the streets to keep the public safe.
Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley has welcomed the news, saying getting more police officers on the streets has been "one of the people's priorities".
“Getting more police officers onto our streets is one of the people’s priorities," she said, adding: "And so I am delighted that in just over one year, this Conservative Government has already delivered an extra 72 officers across Staffordshire.
“Every one of these officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Chief Inspector Mark Thorley and his team in the Moorlands for all their hard work during these challenging times.”
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.
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 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.
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.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I am determined to make our streets safer, which is why I am delighted we have beaten our own target to recruit 6,000 additional police officers by March 2021.
“Many of these new officers are already on our streets helping to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and for that they get my huge thanks.
“These new officers, on top of further funding to tackle crimes such as burglary, robbery and vehicle crime will ensure the police have the powers, tools and resources they need to cut crime and make you feel safer in your community."
