AN extra 91 bobbies will be employed in the West Mercia area during 2021/22, according to Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion.
To make this happen, West Mercia Police will set aside £8.9million of the £138million in Government money the force is due to receive.
The news brings the number of police officers in England back closer to their level in 2013 at 125,000, but still considerably lower than where they were in 2010, when the Conservative / Lib Dem coalition came to power – when there were 139,000 officers on the beat.
The force also plans to use the bumper sum to make areas safer and reduce crime, deaths, anti-social behaviour and ensure victims get the support they need.
The grant will make up approximately 56 per cent of the force’s total budget, with the rest made up of local council tax contributions.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I have, as with previous years, created a budget with our communities in mind.
“I asked the public to take part in a consultation prior to pulling this budget together with the sole purpose of understanding exactly how they felt and where they would spend the money if they had the choice.
“The public’s voices were loud and clear. They want a police force they can rely on, access and see within their community.
“We have faced a challenging year, and the budget has to reflect that, however it also has to deliver a police service that works for our communities.”
