New statistics show that there are 70 extra police officers in Norfolk as part of an extra 6,620 nationally who have been recruited through the government's police recruitment drive.
The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across Norfolk up to 1,677, meaning here are now more frontline officers on our streets to keep the public safe.
Since the launch of the recruitment campaign one year ago, a total of 6,620 extra officers have joined police forces across England and Wales.
These statistics confirm that the Government remains fully on track to meet its manifesto commitment of recruiting 20,000 extra officers by 2023, and has hit the target of recruiting 6,000 new officers by March 2021 well ahead of schedule.
James said, “Getting more police officers onto our streets is one of the people’s priorities, and I pleased that in just over one year Norfolk Police has recruited an extra 70 officers. Every one of them officers will make an difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe."
The new statistics also show that the police workforce is now more diverse than ever before, with 10.2 per cent of new recruits identifying as black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, and with 9,871 of all officers now being from these groups.
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 our 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 include a £636 million funding boost for police forces this year, bringing the total funding for police 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.
