Luke Hall MP on the latest recruitment of local police for Avon and Somerset:
The clear commitment made by the Prime Minister to put more officers back on our streets is an important step forward. Boris Johnson made it clear in his first speech on the steps of Downing Street that making our streets safer is a key priority. I am sure that you will agree that the recruitment of 20,000 new police officers shows the Government’s determination in this task. Nearly 9000 police officers have been recruited since the Government launched its 20,000 new officers by March 2023 recruitment drive.
I welcome the fact that the Government has outlined a funding settlement for the police of up to £15.8 billion in 2021-22. It is good news that this funding package for 2021-22 is an increase of £636 million on last year. This includes up to £914 million for counter-terrorism policing and over £400 million to continue recruiting 20,000 extra officers by 2023. This funding will ensure that communities across the country can build back safer from the Coronavirus pandemic and reduce crime.
As our local MP, I am continuing to press for further funding to be allocated and targeted towards greater police presence in South Gloucestershire, and particularly to tackle speeding along Shire Way in Yate, Anti-Social Behaviour in Thornbury, and rural crime in our villages.
