John Baron MP welcomes 101 extra Essex Police Officers

MP: national recruitment drive is ahead of schedule

The latest figures show that nationwide over 6,620 extra Police officers have been recruited through the Government’s recruitment drive, with 101 more in Essex alone, bringing the total number of Police across Essex to 3,316. The Government remains on track to make good on the manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 extra officers by 2023 – the first target of 6,000 new officers by March 2021 having already been met. The figures also show that the Police workforce is more diverse than ever before, with 10.2% of new recruits identifying as Black Asian and Minority Ethnic, and with 9,871 of all officers now being from these groups.

In addition, the Government has also announced the second round of the Safer Streets Fund, backed by £20 million of new money, to crack down on neighbourhood crimes – enabling PCCs and Local Authorities to make more crime-cutting interventions in residential areas. There is also a £636 million funding boost for Police forces this year, boosting Police pay by 2.5% – equivalent to a constable receiving an extra £1,100.

John said,

“I welcome the good news that the Police recruitment drive is already ahead of schedule. The 101 extra officers for Essex Police will help keep our streets safe, bear down on crime and reassure the public. I also welcome the extra resources through the Safer Streets Fund and the funding boost for our Police forces – we are keeping our communities safe whilst also giving the Police our full support for the excellent work they do.”