London is set to receive 1,369 more polices thanks
the Conservatives investment in policing to help make local streets safer. The
figures were announced in October when the government confirmed the 2020 to
2021 recruitment targets for police forces in England and Wales. The
Conservatives are looking to recruit 20,000 new officers over the next three
years.
Strengthening police numbers is a priority for the
Conservatives, with the government providing £750 million to support forces to
recruit up to 6,000 additional officers by the end of 2020 to 2021, the first
stage in this new uplift.
All officers recruited as part of the 20,000 uplift
will be additional to those hired to fill existing vacancies. They are also on
top of the extra officers already being recruited because of the £1 billion
increase in police funding for 2019 to 2020. The government funding for
recruitment in 2020 to 2021 will cover all associated costs, including training
and kit.
In addition to the extra officers the government
has also announced:
·
The establishment of a £25 million
Safer Streets Fund.
·
The extending of a pilot to make it simpler
for forces to use section 60 serious violence stop and search powers
·
A £20 million package of actions
cracking down on county lines drug gangs.
·
£10 million of funding to increase the
number of officers carrying Taser to keep themselves and the public safe and
confirmed plans for a police covenant that will focus on the physical
protection of officers, their health and wellbeing and support for their
families.
Parliamentary Candidate for Greenwich and Woolwich
Thomas Turrell said “I’m delighted that
this Conservative government is investing in more police officers to help make
our streets safer”.