Boris Johnson's drive to hire new police officers will see 57 join Northamptonshire

The Government has announced the first tranche of police recruitment targets as part of a three-year programme to recruit 20,000 new police officers across the country.
By Carly Roberts
Published 9th Oct 2019, 10:38 BST
Updated 9th Oct 2019, 11:38 BST
New police officers have been recruited in the East Midlands in the first tranche of Boris Johnsons 20,000 police officer recruitment drive. Credit: Getty Images.New police officers have been recruited in the East Midlands in the first tranche of Boris Johnsons 20,000 police officer recruitment drive. Credit: Getty Images.
New police officers have been recruited in the East Midlands in the first tranche of Boris Johnsons 20,000 police officer recruitment drive. Credit: Getty Images.

Northamptonshire Police will immediately be able to recruit an extra 57 officers, with 107 for Nottinghamshire, 89 for Leicestershire, 85 for Derbyshire, and 50 for Lincolnshire.

These 57 extra officers will be in addition to the 200 new officers that Northamptonshire Police is currently recruiting as a result of the local council tax increase.

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The commissioner and the chief constable had already announced plans to recruit 200 officers for Northamptonshire, which would take the force to 1,310 officers, back to where they were in 2010.

An officer practicing using a Taser back in August.An officer practicing using a Taser back in August.
An officer practicing using a Taser back in August.

Today’s announcement of Government funding for a further 57 officers builds on those plans and is just the first phase of the Government’s promise to increase numbers, which could see in total funding for around 190 extra police officers for Northamptonshire.

On current projections, this would take the force to over 1,500 officers by 2023.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold (PFCC) has asked for the way funding is allocated to be reviewed, so that Northamptonshire receives its fair share for the future.

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He said: "I welcome the Home Office decision to invest in policing and I thank the Prime Minister for delivering on the commitment he made to increase funding for policing when I met him with other Police and Crime Commissioners.

Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police Nick Adderly.Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police Nick Adderly.
Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police Nick Adderly.

“The Chief Constable and I had already committed to increasing police officers in Northamptonshire and this support from Government is more than welcome. However, just a few weeks ago, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary commented on the fact that Northamptonshire Police is disadvantaged by the current funding formula and has been structurally underfunded for a number of years.

"Alongside this very welcome funding, I will be continuing to ask the Government to deliver on the Prime Minister’s additional commitment, which is to review the way funding is allocated to policing to make sure it is totally fair to all forces. The Home Secretary has echoed this view in her comments today."

Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South said: “Tackling crime as an issue which often crosses my desk as the MP for Northampton South, and these new recruits are a clear message to anyone thinking of turning to crime that we will be out to stop them wherever they are.”

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This announcement comes nearly two months after Northamptonshire Police said they will be the first force in the country to arm all of its front-line officers with Tasers in response to rising levels of 'sickening' attacks on staff.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley's decision will give 300 extra officers the option to be trained and equipped with the stun guns.

Training will cost around £600 per officer but a police spokesman said the money 'pales into insignificance' when compared to the level of injury and days lost due to sickness.