Matthew Barber: 784 new police officers in Thames Valley

The Government has now recruited 20,000 new police officers in England and Wales, according to new figures published today (Wednesday 26 April).

Today’s announcement confirms that the Conservative Party has delivered on its 2019 manifesto commitment to hire 20,000 additional officers, bringing the total number of officers to a new record high.

This police uplift programme has added 784 additional police officers in Thames Valley Police within the last 3 years, exceeding the target set by the Home Office and meaning that Thames Valley now has a record 5,034 police officers.

Matthew Barber, PCC for Thames Valley commented:

"With record numbers of police officers in Thames Valley I will ensure the Force focusses on improving neighbourhood policing, tackling anti-social behaviour and preventing crime. Thanks to the Conservatives' pledge to deliver more police officers than ever before, over 500 more than back in 2010!

“Since 2019 neighbourhood crime is down by 17% locally, with burglary down by more than a third and robberies down by a quarter. We've also seen outcomes for rape and sexual offences rise by 23% in the last year.

The Crimefighters strategy that I have set out for the Force will double the number of officers in local neighbourhood policing, as well as focussing on visible hotspot patrols and improving the 101-telephone service. Find out more at crimefighters.uk"

The Home Secretary, Rt Hon Suella Braverman KC MP, said:

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities, on their streets and in their homes.

“Now we've delivered on our 2019 manifesto promise, with more than 20,000 new police officers.

“With a record 150,000 police officers across England and Wales, people can trust in the Conservatives to keep our streets safe and deliver for local areas.”

This is Conservative Party delivery in action and represents the fulfilment of a key 2019 manifesto promise. It comes as part of a wider plan of action from the Conservatives to tackle crime across the nation.

Our Beating Crime Plan will deliver the change a safer Britain. We have invested a record amount in our bobbies with a £17.2bn policing budget for 2023/24. Our Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act will give our new recruits and courts with the powers they need to tackle serious crime head on. We’ve also kickstarting our £100 million Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to protect the vulnerable in our society.

Our commitment to fighting crime, and our plan, is already driving results. Since 2010 we have cut crime by almost 50% - making our communities safer. This has meant that we have reduced theft by 20 per cent, and domestic burglary by 30 per cent. And we’ve also taken 90,000 knives off our streets through stop and search, surrender initiatives and other targeted police action since 2019.

When it comes to the safety of your streets and our neighbourhoods, only the Conservatives can be trusted to deliver.