Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackrory and Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez have this week welcomed the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's announcement 20,000 new police officers recruited in England and Wales. This figure delivers the 2019 conservative manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 new officers to help reduce crime, deter criminals, and make communities safer across the UK. Locally, this has raised the number of officers in Devon and Cornwall to 3,500 including many here in Truro and Falmouth.
Speaking in a joint statement, Cherilyn has welcomed the Government’s commitment to crack down on crime, relentlessly pursue criminals, and protect victims, saying: I'm working together with ministers to make sure that the police have the powers they need to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour across the country. That's why we've introduced tougher new sentences for criminals, including ending the automatic early release for child murderers and terrorists, keeping dangerous offenders behind bars for longer. And it's why we're increasing fines for antisocial behaviour and requiring culprits to repair the damage they inflicted on communities as soon as within 48 hours, while rolling out more patrols for crime hotspots to deliver swift and visible punishments for offenders.
Alison says, this government promised to recruit 20,000 extra police officers - and thanks to your support, we’ve delivered on that promise. There are now 20,000 extra police patrolling our streets – including 686 new officers right here in Devon and Cornwall. We are protecting our neighbourhoods and communities by making our streets safer. As Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, I’m working with local police force to make sure our new officers are patrolling crime hotspots and cracking down on antisocial behaviour.
Crime Survey figures published this week by the Office for National Statistics have also shown that crime has fallen steadily since 2010, with the greatest reduction in areas with conservative Police Crime Commissioners.
The delivery of a manifesto pledge has come during a critical time for the Government and will certainly be viewed by MPs and voters as a critical success. Describing the news, one party spokesperson describes: Labour are soft on crime and soft on criminals - the conservatives will stop at nothing to make sure everyone has the security of a safe street and a safe home.
Further details on the recruitment of new officers in England and Wales can be found here:
Police numbers boosted by thousands of new officers | College of Policing