South Yorkshire Police Federation warns of 'unrealistic expectations' on cops after recruitment drive

The government has agreed funding for another 20,000 police officers over the next few years to boost the front line, with a recruitment drive for 700 new bobbies currently under way in South Yorkshire.

LATEST: South Yorkshire Police asks retired cops to re-join force

The county’s police force also needs an additional 700 to replace those set to leave the service over the next three years.

CRIME: Sheffield men branded 'shameless criminals' jailed for 21 years for terrifying armed robberies

This week, Home Secretary Priti Patel said cutting crime was ‘non-negotiable’.

Speaking at a crime conference yesterday, she said she is ‘unequivocal’ in her support for officers but added: “We need to pull out all the stops to deliver the decline in crime that people want to see.

“These outcomes will be non-negotiable and I will be unapologetic about holding you to account.”

Ms Patel said in three years she wanted to see less crime, safer streets and ‘no excuses’.

Success would be ‘measured’ against ‘national policing outcomes’ focused on cutting crime, she said, indicating a possible return to setting performance targets.

Steve Kent, chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said: “Yes, of course the public should expect to eventually see improvements with more cops on the street, however, firstly, it’s going to take several years for all the officers to be recruited, trained and in post to reach the figures of extra officers being quoted nationally.

“Whilst of course we welcome the numbers being recruited, it will only repair the damage caused by 10 years of cuts. We need continued investment to actually get ahead of the curve.

“Lets learn from the past. A flavour of the month target culture does not work. It takes away objectivity and highly trained officers ability to make sensible and rational decisions in the face of having to tick boxes.

“Officers are working to the limit and beyond as it stands. Let’s not heap more unrealistic expectations on them when they are at their limit following a frankly horrendous last decade.

“The government needs to think carefully and learn from past mistakes if it is going to look at this approach going forward.”