A TOTAL of 164 police officers have been recruited in North Wales since September 2019, bringing the total number of officers up to 1,671, it has been revealed.

The latest figures are part of the Conservative Government’s drive to get 20,000 more police officers on the street by March 2023, and put the Government on track to fulfil its manifesto commitment, with 68 per cent of the target now met.

Across the 43 police forces, an additional 13,576 officers have been recruited, bringing the total number of police officers in England and Wales to 142,526 – where they are already having an impact in tackling crime and keeping communities safe.

The latest figures also show that the police are more representative of the communities they serve.

More than four in 10 new recruits since April 2020 are female and nearly 12 per cent of new recruits identify as belonging to a black, Asian, mixed or other minority ethnic group.

The 13,576 extra officers will support the Government’s crackdown on crime, which has seen the launch of the Beating Crime Plan and the passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill through the House of Commons.

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Vale of Clwyd MP, James Davies, welcomed the announcement, saying: “From working with our local police force, I know just how valuable more police officers will be in helping crack down on crime in our local community.

“The 164 additional recruits mean there are now 1,671 police officers in North Wales, helping to pursue criminals, keep neighbourhoods safe, and reassure the law-abiding majority.

“At the change of UK Government in 2010, North Wales had 1,590 police officers.”

The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, added:

“When this Government took office in 2019, we made a promise to the British people to recruit 20,000 extra police officers to cut crime and keep communities safe - and we are delivering on that pledge.

“These extra officers are getting out on the streets helping to cut crime and protect communities up and down the country – and they are reflecting the communities they serve better than ever before, with the highest ever proportion of female officers and officers from diverse backgrounds out there making a difference.

“Our Beating Crime Plan will give these officers the powers they need to stop crimes happening, support victims and keep serious offenders in prison for longer – keeping the streets safer for all.”