Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, is delighted Thames Valley Police will be able to recruit an extra 150 officers over the next year on top of the 784 delivered since 2019.
In 2019, the Conservative Government set out plans to recruit an extra 20,000 new police officers by 2023, including 600 in for Thames Valley Police. That figure was smashed by the local force with 784 extra officers in place last year compared to 2019.
And now Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber has confirmed plans to deliver recruitment for another 150 officers in 2024/25, which will include neighbourhood officers; priority crime teams to tackle burglaries, theft and shoplifting; and an increase in the Rural Crime Taskforce.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said: "Tackling crime is my priority for Milton Keynes and getting more bobbies on the beat is absolutely key to that. That's why I'm delighted we smashed our target for officer recruitment for Thames Valley Police and that Matthew has announced we'll be recruiting an extra 150.
"I will continue working with our local police force in Milton Keynes on important issues including knife crime and anti-social behaviour."
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber commented: “Thames Valley has more police officers than ever before, exceeding the target set by the Home Office for police officer recruitment, with a further 150 additional officers now funded through this year’s budget. This builds upon my pledge of recruiting additional police officers to ensure Thames Valley Police grows as our population increases.
“In addition, the budget will allow for investment in other key areas. This will include nearly £1million funding to roll-out the Operation Deter youth engagement programme across the force area to help tackle knife crime, £500,000 allocated to support road safety activity, additional funding to tackle the rise in retail crime as well as the continuation of funding for services to reduce reoffending and support victims of crime.”
