Next stage of police recruitment drive underway

The government’s drive to protect the public by recruiting 20,000 additional police officers has entered a new phase with the launch of a new advertising campaign.

More than 11,000 people have already joined the police as part of the recruitment drive, which the government says has helped to cut crime by 14 per cent, remove 16,000 knives and dangerous weapons from the streets and tackle the scourge of drugs with the closure of over 1,500 county lines.

Two new adverts, featuring two serving police officers already protecting their communities, will air on TV and in cinemas and, for the first time, on YouTube and Reddit to target a younger and more engaged audience. The adverts form part of a wider advertising campaign across radio, social media, online, podcasts and digital display banners.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Two years ago, this government made a promise to the public to put 20,000 extra police officers on our streets – and we are delivering on that pledge with an additional 11,053 police officers already recruited.

“Officers like PC Giwa and Chief Inspector Burbeck are already out there making a difference – taking drugs off our streets and protecting victims of awful crimes like domestic abuse, while helping to make our communities safer. As we continue to deliver on that promise to increase police numbers, anyone with a drive and passion to serve their community and fight crime should consider following their example and joining up as part of this new generation of brave police officers.”