THE MP for the Vale of Clwyd has said £9.4million funding for North Wales Police will help the force to "build back safer" following the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK Government confirmed the force will receive £176m during 2021-22, rising from £167m last year.

It forms part of the £15.8billion package for policing in the UK, which will be targeted at boosting post-Covid enforcement, serious violence, terrorism and serious organised crime, including child sexual abuse and drug trafficking.

£400m will be dedicated to the government’s recruitment target of 20,000 officers by 2023.

Last year it set aside £750m for officer recruitment, which resulted in an additional 62 officers for North Wales Police.

Dr James Davies, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said: “Officers and staff at North Wales Police have been instrumental in keeping our community safe this year, and I pay tribute to them for their hard work and professionalism.

“I am delighted to see North Wales getting an additional £9.4m next year. I was proud to be elected last year on a promise to get more officers onto the streets and to ensure our police have what they need to keep us safe.

“This Conservative Government is now doing exactly that – ensuring we build back safer as we recover from coronavirus.”

UK Government Home Secretary Priti Patel said she is "absolutely committed to giving the police the resources they need".

"We have asked more of the police than ever before during the coronavirus pandemic – the British people and I are extremely grateful for their dedication.

"I am absolutely committed to giving the police the resources they need – this funding package delivers on that.

"It will allow us to continue to put more police on the streets, and reduce crime as we build back safer from the pandemic."