Figures released today show that 600 extra police officers have
been recruited in Devon and Cornwall since September 2019,
bringing the total number of officers in the area up to 3716.
This represents the fulfilment of a key Conservative Party 2019
manifesto promise. It comes as part of a wider plan of action
from the Government to tackle crime across the nation.
The Government’s Beating Crime Plan will deliver a safer Britain
alongside record funding for our police, with a £17.2 billion
policing budget for 2023–2024. This is alongside the Police,
Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act which is giving the police and
courts the powers they need to tackle serious crime head on. The
Government is also delivering its Violence Against Women and
Girls Strategy, backed by £100 million in funding, making our
streets and neighbourhoods safer for women and girls.
Since 2010, crime excluding fraud has been cut by over 50 per
cent – making our communities safer. Theft has been reduced by 20
per cent and domestic burglary by 30 per cent. The Government has
also taken 90,000 knives off our streets through stop and search,
surrender initiatives and targeted police action since 2019.
Commenting, St Austell and Newquay’s Member of Parliament said:
“I regularly meet with our local police force and know they
will welcome today’s news, which shows how the Government has
fulfilled its commitment to provide an additional 20,000 police
officers nationally since 2019.”
“600 more police officers for Devon and Cornwall will make it
easier for our police force to crack down on crimes and be
pro-active in tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour that
I am often contacted about.”
“I will continue to work with the Government as we give our
police and court systems the powers and resources they need to
fight crime and punish offenders appropriately.”
