MKFM can reveal that the Milton Keynes area has seen 192 officers recruited, as the police boss celebrates exceeding the national Uplift programme recruitment target.
It comes as the police force announces it has exceeded the national Uplift programme recruitment target which brings the total number of officers to over 5,000 across Thames Valley.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, has welcomed the announcement that Thames Valley Police has exceeded its national Uplift Programme target by 175 police officers. This brings the total number of police officers to 5,034 by the end of March 2023.
MKFM contacted Thames Valley Police to get a further insight into numbers for the Milton Keynes area.
Thames Valley Police responded to MKFM saying: “Over the last three years, Thames Valley Police has continued to recruit more officers, and they are making their way into local areas, including Milton Keynes. 192 new recruits, including Police Officers and Detectives, have been allocated to Milton Keynes from our force’s Uplift recruitment.
“As well as the frontline teams that these officers have joined, there are hundreds of other officers also working 24-7 in our Roads Policing, Armed Response, and Proactive and Neighbourhood Teams, all contributing to the protection of our communities in Milton Keynes. ”
Of the 192 new recruits who were posted to Milton Keynes, Thames Valley Police have told MKFM that:
- 11 had previously been PCSOs;
- 5 of these had previously been PCSOs at Milton Keynes;
- No PCSOs who had worked in Milton Keynes went to other local policing areas.
The Home Office announced the national Uplift programme recruitment drive in July 2019, aiming to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers across all police forces in England by March 2023.
Both Milton Keynes MPs have praised the news of 5,034 new officers across the region.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “I am delighted that Thames Valley Police has not only met, but exceeded the Uplift programme target by recruiting an additional 784 police officers since 2019. These additional officers will help to cut crime across Thames Valley, reassuring our communities that it is a safe place to live.
“Thames Valley Police now has more officers than ever before and the Force will continue to recruit police officers and PCSO as part of my plans to strengthen community policing. I recently announced details of my Crimefighters Strategy which will see the number of neighbourhood policing officers double over the coming year across Thames Valley.
“This refocus on community policing will enable officers to deliver a more proactive and responsive service that is better placed to effectively prevent and disrupt crime. This marks the beginning of a shift change for the force, which will help to build the trust of all our communities.
“Recruitment continues across the Force for police officers, PCSOs and staff. You can find out more about joining Thames Valley Police at tvpcareers.co.uk.”
