Henry Smith MP welcomes extra police officers for Sussex as Government delivers on manifesto pledge and local Police & Crime Commissioner ensures further boost

• Figures released today show that 439 extra police officers have been recruited in Sussex as part of the Government’s manifesto pledge to put 20,000 more officers on the streets.
• Since the recruitment drive was launched in 2019, the Government has now recruited almost 21,000 new police officers in England and Wales, according to new figures published today (Wednesday, 26th April).
• The additional police for Sussex builds on the Government’s Beating Crime Plan and the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act – reducing crime, protecting victims and keeping our streets safe.
• New officers provide a further boost to policing locally in addition to the work of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, who has recruited an extra 250 officers.

Henry Smith MP has welcomed the announcement that 439 extra police officers have been recruited in Sussex since September 2019 as part of the Government’s uplift, bringing the total number of officers up to 3,194.

This is in addition to the 250 officers recruited locally by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne.

In the House of Commons, Crawley MP Henry Smith hailed this boost to local policing in Crawley and across Sussex.

Commenting after speaking in Parliament, Henry said;

“I know just how important a role will be played by the 439 officers recruited through the Government’s uplift and the 250 officers recruited though the initiative of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne.

“I’d like to thank each and every one of these officers who will play an important part in cracking down on crime in Sussex.

“These recruits mean there are now 3,194 police officers in Sussex 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.”

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

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 2023–24. This is alongside the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act which is giving the police and courts the powers they need to tackle serious crime head on.

The Government is also delivering its Violence Against Women & 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 Government has also taken 90,000 knives off our streets through stop and search, surrender initiatives and targeted police action since 2019.

The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said;

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

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