South Yorkshire Police on track to recruit target of 151 new cops by March

The Government wants 20,000 more police officers on the streets by 2023 and has set police forces individual targets.

South Yorkshire Police was asked to recruit 151 in the first year of the campaign and has taken on 129 so far.

Over the last year, an additional 6,620 officers have joined forces across England and Wales.

The recruitment drive is at the centre of the Government’s promise to back the police with more resources and support to cut crime, and today the Home Secretary has announced an additional £20 million to help tackle ‘neighbourhood crimes’ including burglary, robbery, theft and vehicle crime.

This funding forms the second round of the Safer Streets scheme, which launched in January last year.

It will be open for applications from Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities to go towards local-crime cutting schemes in residential areas such as improved home security, increased street lighting and the installation of CCTV.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I am delighted we have exceeded our own target to recruit 6,000 additional police officers by March 2021.

“Keeping our streets is my absolute priority and many of these new officers in Yorkshire and the Humber are already on our streets helping to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and for that they get my huge thanks.

“These new officers, on top of further funding to tackle crimes such as burglary, robbery and vehicle crime will ensure the police have the powers, tools and resources they need to cut crime and make you feel safer in your community.”

South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner said: “We have suffered from cut backs every year since 2010, losing 500 officers altogether.

“We need to restore those numbers.

“Next year we will see an additional 79 funded from our own resources and 142 from national resources.”

To report issues to South Yorkshire Police call the force on 101.

Information to help crack crimes can be passed on to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555111.