More Police Officers for Norfolk

 

From working with our local police force in Norwich North, I know just how valuable more police officers will be in helping crack down on crime in our local community.

 

That’s why I welcome the recent announcement that 211 police officers have been recruited in Norfolk since September 2019, bringing the total number of officers up to 1,888.

 

These latest figures are part of the Government’s drive to get 20,000 more police officers on the street by March 2023, and puts the Government on track to fulfil its manifesto commitment with 68 per cent of the target now met.

 

Across the 43 police forces, an additional 13,576 officers have been recruited, bringing the total number of police officers in England and Wales to 142,526 – where they are already having an impact in tackling crime and keeping communities safe.

 

The latest figures also show that the police are more representative of the communities they serve. More than four in ten new recruits since April 2020 are female and nearly 12 per cent of new recruits identify as belonging to a Black, Asian, Mixed or other minority ethnic group.

 

All these extra officers will support the Government’s crackdown on crime, nationally and locally, which has seen the launch of the Beating Crime Plan and the passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill through the House of Commons.

 

This builds on the action already taken by the Government since December 2019 – including boosting police funding to a record £15.8 billion and delivering £70 million through the Safer Streets Fund to make neighbourhoods secure. 

 

All this shows the Government’s commitment to tackling crime and keeping people safe, and I am happy to support all this as I know it provides extra protection for my local communities and constituents.

 

As always, if I can help constituents with any matter, please do email me on chloe@chloesmith.org.uk or ring my constituency office on 01603 414756.