Thames Valley Police officer numbers exceed 5k for the first time, says Police and Crime Commissioner

Thames Valley Police has exceeded the national government recruitment target bringing the total number of officers in the area to more than 5,000.

The Home Office announced the national Uplift programme recruitment drive in July 2019, aiming to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers across England by March 2023.

Thames Valley Police has exceeded its target by 175 people so that the exact total number of police officers in the force was 5,034 by the end of March.

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, welcomed the announcement.

He 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 PCSOs 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.”