Local MPs Ben Everitt and Iain Stewart have delivered on their election promises after figures released today (26th April) showed Thames Valley Police have smashed their recruitment target with 784 extra officers hired since 2019.
During the 2019 general election campaign, Ben and Iain campaigned on a pledge to deliver 600 new officers for the force by 2024.
Today’s statistics show there are now 5,034 officers in Thames Valley Police, which is 500 higher than in 2010 and the largest number on record.
The local MPs have been working hard to tackle crime in Milton Keynes and supported the launch of Op Deter, a new strategy for tackling knife crime, and funding for the force’s Violence Reduction Unit.
As part of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber’s Crimefighters scheme the number of neighbourhood police officers will be doubled to ensure more visible, proactive hotspot policing.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, also welcomed Home Secretary Suella Braverman to the city last week to show her some of the incredible prevention work taking place thanks to charities like Boxing Clever MK.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted we’ve not just met, but completely smashed our target to recruit even more police officers for Thames Valley Police.
“That’s 784 extra officers working to keep you safe, and I’m so excited about plans to double the number of neighbourhood officers as I know how important visible policing is to making our communities in Milton Keynes feel safe, and that’s why I’m delighted our local police now once again have a base in Newport Pagnell.”
Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, commented: “From working with our local police force, I know just how valuable 784 more police officers will be in helping crack down on crime in our local community.
“These recruits mean there are now 5,034 police officers in the Thames Valley Police force and more police officers than ever before across the country, helping to pursue criminals and tackle anti-social behaviour, keeping neighbourhoods safe for the law-abiding majority.
“It is clear it is only the Conservatives who can keep our streets safe, give people peace of mind, and deliver on the priorities of the British people”.
On top of this, the Government’s Beating Crime Plan will deliver a safer Britain alongside record funding for our police, with a £17.2 billion policing budget for 2023–2024. This is alongside the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act which is giving the police and courts the powers they need to tackle serious crime head on.
The Conservative Government is also delivering its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, backed by £100 million in funding, making our streets and neighbourhoods safer for women and girls.
Since 2010, crime excluding fraud has been cut by over 50 per cent – making our communities safer. Theft has been reduced by 20 per cent and domestic burglary by 30 per cent. The Conservative Government has also taken 90,000 knives off our streets through stop and search, surrender initiatives and targeted police action since 2019.
