Matthew Barber welcomes a clear plan to recruit 8,000 more neighbourhood police officers, keeping communities across Thames Valley safe

Crime has fallen by 54 per cent nationally since 2010, and in Thames Valley we have gone beyond the national programme to recruit 20,000 new police officers, delivering record numbers locally

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.

Matthew Barber has welcomed the Conservatives’ clear plan to recruit 8,000 additional full-time police with the full power of arrest, ensuring people across Thames Valley feel safer in their area.

Under the Conservatives, there are now 5,120 police officers in Thames Valley, more than ever before, and up by 20% since 2019. Crime is falling and as Police & Crime Commissioner, I have made neighbourhood policing central to the work of Thames Valley Police.

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, leaving neighbourhood policing teams without the resources they need to keep families in Thames Valley safe.

 Commenting, Matthew Barber said:

“Our police work incredibly hard to support our communities across Thames Valley, and I am committed to supporting them to continue to reduce crime and keep local residents safe.

“That is why I welcome the announcement today 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.

“In Thames Valley we have already delivered significant increase in police officer numbers, meaning that we now have over 600 more officers than back in 2010 - a 13% increase. I have also been working with the police to double neighbourhood policing teams and we are seeing the benefits of increased visibility and falling levels of crime.”