- The Conservatives have taken bold action over the last 14 years with crime falling by 54 per cent since 2010, and have recruited 20,000 new police officers since 2019, but there is more to do to improve local policing.
- That is why the Conservatives will recruit 8,000 new full-time police officers with full power of arrest as part of a new Neighbourhood Policing Uplift Programme. This new manifesto commitment will mean a new police officer for every ward in England and Wales.
- People expect to see police officers on the streets where they live. The Conservatives’ 8,000 extra officers will be focused solely on policing their local beat, cutting crime and helping people feel safer in their area.
Under the Conservatives, there are now 20,000 more police since 2019 including an extra 269 in Noroflk and overall crime has fallen by 54 per cent since 2010. This announcement will build on this success, recruiting 8,000 more full-time neighbourhood police officers with the full power of arrest – equivalent to an additional police officer for every ward in England and Wales.
These officers will be specifically focused on policing the local neighbourhood they are assigned to, boosting the visible police presence in communities and helping families feel safer in their area. These strengthened neighbourhood policing teams will ensure every neighbourhood will have a genuine and more continuous police officer coverage.
There will also be a new requirement for police forces not to offset these additional officers by diverting police officers already dedicated to neighbourhood duties, to other purposes, ensuring neighbourhood policing is prioritised. The Conservatives will also roll out the Hotspot Policing Programme nationally following its successful pilot.
In contrast to the Conservatives’ plan to recruit 8,000 full-time neighbourhood police with the full power of arrest, Labour would recruit just 3,000 of these equivalent officers under their pledge.
Commenting, James Wild said:
“Our police work incredibly hard to support our communities across North West Norfolk but we know our police need more resources to keep local residents safe. There are already an extra 269 officers in Norfolk and I welcome the announcement that the Conservatives will recruit 8,000 more full-time police officers with the full power of arrest, over the double the number Labour have pledged.
