• Newly released figures show that 302 police officers have been recruited in Sussex as part of the Government’s pledge to put 20,000 more officers on the streets by March 2023.
• Since the recruitment drive was launched in 2019, the 43 police forces across England and Wales have seen an additional 15,343 police officers recruited, putting the Government on track to deliver on its manifesto promise.
• This builds on the Government’s Beating Crime Plan and Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act – aimed at reducing crime, protecting victims and making the country safer.

Henry Smith MP has welcomed the announcement that 302 police officers have been recruited in Sussex since September 2019.

The latest figures are part of the Government’s drive to get 20,000 more police officers on the street by March 2023, and puts the Government on track to fulfil its manifesto commitment with 77 per cent of the target now met.

Across the 43 police forces, an additional 15,343 officers have been recruited – tackling crime and keeping communities safe across the country.

Henry said;

“I work closely with Sussex Police and I know how hard they work every day to keep the streets of Crawley safe.

“An additional 302 police officers on our streets will play a huge role in pursuing criminals, keeping neighbourhoods safe, protecting victims and reassuring the law-abiding majority.

“This Government is delivering on its promises to the British people – showing how it can be trusted to keep Britain’s streets safe.”

The latest figures also show that the police are more representative of the communities they serve. There are now more female police officers than since records began with over 50,000 women in forces across England and Wales. Of the recruits hired since April 2020, 42.5 per cent are women.

The 15,343 extra officers will support the Government’s crackdown on crime, which has seen the launch of the Beating Crime Plan and the passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act – reducing crime, protecting victims, and making the country safer.

This Government is continuing to deliver on tackling crime – including boosting police funding to £16.9 billion and boosting police officer pay, with every police officer receiving a £1,900 uplift to their salary this year.

The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, commented;

“As Home Secretary my first priority is to protect the British public from harm and I am absolutely steadfast in my determination to drive down crime.

“That’s why I am delighted the Government is on track to deliver 20,000 additional police officers by March 2023, with 15,343 already recruited to bring criminals to justice.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for forces to become more representative of the communities they serve and I am heartened to see there are now over 50,000 women in forces across England and Wales for the first time.

“With the extra officers recruited I want to continue to see forces doubling down on tackling murder, serious violence and neighbourhood crimes which tear communities apart.”