Wales police forces will be able to recruit 302 new officers in first wave of 20,000 uplift.

Strengthening police numbers is a priority for the Government, which is providing £750 million to support forces to recruit up to 6,000 additional officers onto our streets by the end of 2020-21, the first stage in this new uplift. This is thanks to the additional funding announced by the Chancellor in the Spending Review.

Police forces in Wales will be able to recruit a total of 302 new officers. Their first-year recruitment as follows:

South Wales Police will be able to recruit 136 new officers, which will increase their officer numbers by 4.6%
North Wales Police will be able to recruit 62 new officers, which will increase their officer numbers by 4.3%
Gwent Police will be able to recruit 62 new officers, which will increase their officer numbers by 4.7%
Dyfed-Powys Police will be able to recruit 42 new officers, which will increase their officer numbers by 3.7%

To support the Government’s largest ever national Police Recruitment campaign, ‘Be A Force For All’, a new short film has been created featuring real officers from across the UK discussing what it’s like to be in the force in order to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to consider joining them – this includes four Officers from South Wales.

Commenting on the recruitment drive of new officers, PC Mohsin Irshad from south Wales who features in the film said:

“Being in the police service has always been an ambition of mine, it is so fulfilling to make a difference in people’s lives, and I still get a thrill from putting on the uniform every day. You learn to expect the unexpected and each day you go into the unknown, knowing it will be different. Hearing how you have helped someone or seeing a smile on people’s faces fills me with pride, it’s that feeling when someone calls for help and you are the one who is there making a difference to lives in a time of emergency.”

The Home Secretary set out her vision for policing when she chaired the second meeting of the National Policing Board, involving representatives of frontline officers and police leaders.

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.

“It means more than 300 extra officers right across Wales, helping to cut crime and keep communities safe.”

All officers recruited as part of the 20,000 uplift will be additional to those hired to fill existing vacancies. They are also on top of the extra officers already being recruited because of the £1 billion increase in police funding for 2019-20, which includes money from council tax and for serious violence.

Government funding for recruitment in 2020-21 will cover all associated costs, including training and kit.