Stuart Anderson MP is delighted that the West Midlands Police has received 1,376 extra police officers as part of the Government’s uplift programme, bringing the total number of officers up to 8,067. The West Midlands Police has received the largest number of new recruits - apart from the Metropolitan Police in London.
Since the recruitment drive was launched in 2019, the Government has recruited 20,951 new police officers in England and Wales - backed by £3.6 billion in extra funding and putting a record number of officers in local communities. This brings the total number to nearly 150,000 officers - more than 3,500 higher than in 2010. The recruitment drive means police forces are now more representative of the diverse communities that they serve, with a 43% increase in the number of ethnic minority officers in England and Wales. In addition, 35.5% of the new recruits are women.
Stuart welcomed the outcome of this historic recruitment drive, a core part of the Government’s commitment to drive down crime and protect our communities. Since 2010, crime excluding fraud has been cut by over 50 per cent – making our communities safer. Theft has been reduced by 20 per cent, while domestic burglary is down by 30 per cent. The Government has also taken 90,000 knives off our streets through stop and search, surrender initiatives, and targeted action.
The West Midlands Police has been allocated an extra £22.8 million to spend on local priorities this year. It was recently announced that the area is also one of 16 areas in England and Wales that will be funded to support new hotspot police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “Having made tackling crime one of my top priorities, I am delighted that we have now fulfilled our flagship manifesto pledge to recruit an extra 20,000 police officers. It means that there are now more police officers in England and Wales than ever before to crack down on crime, relentlessly pursue criminals, and protect victims. With an 1,376 extra officers, the West Midlands Police Force has received the largest number of new recruits - other than the Metropolitan Police. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this investment will have in Wolverhampton, boosting the presence and responsiveness of policing locally.”
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “When I stood at the steps of Downing Street six months ago, I made clear that I will do whatever it takes to build a better future for everyone in the UK, with stronger communities and safer streets. At the heart of that pledge is recruiting more police officers than at any time in our history, and today we have delivered on that promise. Thousands of officers are already out in our communities, tackling crime and keeping the public safe.”