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Campaign launched to recruit 20,000 police officers

Following the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase police numbers over the next three years, the national campaign to recruit 20,000 new police officers has been launched.

As part of the Spending Review, Chancellor Sajid Javid confirmed the funding to support the recruitment of a first wave of up to 6,000 officers, who will be shared among the 43 forces in England and Wales. This includes £750 million for 2020-21 and an immediate £45 million to kick-start recruitment.

The remaining 14,000 will be recruited in the following two years, backed by government funding, and will be additional to officers hired to fill existing vacancies.

The ‘Be a force for all’ campaign has been developed by the Home Office in partnership with the police and using feedback from the public via independent research. Additionally, a National Policing Board, chaired by the Home Secretary and bringing together government and police leaders, has been set up to oversee the recruitment drive and other major policing issues.



Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Getting more police on our streets is an absolute priority and I’m delighted our recruitment campaign for 20,000 new officers is now under way. I have been clear from day one I will give the police the resources they need and I am delivering on that commitment. They have my full support and together we will cut crime, get criminals off the streets and keep people safe.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “One of the government’s first actions was to commit to putting 20,000 new police officers on our streets, and the launch of today’s campaign shows we’ve wasted no time in getting on with the job. Our police are the best in the word. They protect our people and communities and this government will ensure they are well resourced so they can tackle the crime on Britain’s streets. By bolstering the police’s ranks we can help our dedicated officers tackle crime, protect communities and be a force for all.”

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