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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Alexander Brock

Avon and Somerset Police to recruit more than 100 new officers

Avon and Somerset Constabulary is set to recruit more than 100 new police officers as part of new Government plans.

Home Secretary Priti Patel confirmed officer recruitment targets for every police force in England and Wales during a meeting with the National Policing Board on Tuesday (October 8).

The targets are part of a drive to take on 20,000 new officers over the next three years.

During the first phase of the scheme's roll-out, the Home Office has said it will provide £750m to support all 43 forces in recruiting around 6,000 officers by the end of 2020/21.

As part of the first year of this recruitment drive, Avon and Somerset police will be able to recruit 137 new officers, which will increase their officer numbers by 5%.

This compares to the 1,369 target for Metropolitan Police.

Elsewhere in the south west, Devon and Cornwall Police will be able to recruit 141 new officers, Gloucestershire Constabulary can get 46 new officers and for Wiltshire Police, the target is 49 officers.

The Government says all officers recruited as part of this drive will be additional to those hired to fill existing vacancies.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The public are clear they want to see more police officers on their streets, whether they live in the city or the countryside.

“This is the people’s priority and it is exactly what the Government is delivering."

John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “Investment in policing is long overdue and for the first time we now have the actual number of officers each local force will increase by in the next year.

For the latest news in and around Bristol, check back on  Bristol Live's homepage .

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