Southport MP Damien Moore welcomes 629 extra police officers for Merseyside.

Newly released figures show that 629 extra police officers have been recruited in Merseyside as part of the Conservative Government’s pledge to put 20,000 more officers on the streets by March 2023, with 68 per cent of the target now met.

Since the recruitment drive was launched in 2019, the 43 police forces across England and Wales have seen an additional 13,576 police officers recruited, putting the Government on track to deliver on its manifesto promise. 

Damien Moore MP has welcomed the announcement that 629 police officers have been recruited in Merseyside since September 2019, bringing the total number of officers up to 4076. Those recruited under this scheme now constitute 15% of overall police numbers. 

This builds on the action already taken by the Government over the past two years, including boosting police funding to a record £15.8 billion and delivering £70 million through the Safer Streets Fund to make neighbourhoods secure.  

Commenting, Damien Moore MP said:

“From working with our local police force, I know just how valuable more police officers will be in helping crack down on crime in Southport. 

“The 629 additional recruits mean there are now 4,076 police officers in Merseyside, helping to pursue criminals, keep neighbourhoods safe, and reassure the law-abiding majority.

“I want to see as many of these additional officers deployed in community policing roles, based out of Southport Police Station. Everybody should know who their local community policing team are, and how they can assist with issues such as speeding in residential areas and anti-social behaviour.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 

“When this Government took office in 2019, we made a promise to the British people to recruit 20,000 extra police officers to cut crime and keep communities safe - and we are delivering on that pledge. 

“These extra officers are getting out on the streets helping to cut crime and protect communities up and down the country – and they are reflecting the communities they serve better than ever before, with the highest ever proportion of female officers and officers from diverse backgrounds out there making a difference.

“It is disappointing to see Labour Mayors in charge of some of our biggest police forces failing to meet their targets for recruiting more officers, particularly given how quick they are to tour TV studios demanding more help from the government for their own failures.”

“Our Beating Crime Plan will give these officers the powers they need to stop crimes happening, support victims and keep serious offenders in prison for longer – keeping the streets safer for all.”