Plans to recruit extra 150 new police officers across Nottinghamshire

In a joint announcement, the county's police and crime commissioner Paddy Tipping and Chief Constable Craig Guildford said the force would push on with its recruitment efforts to ensure communities benefit from the approach.

They were speaking after a further cohort of new police officers, recruited as part of the PCCs’ budget and the national uplift, were officially sworn into post during a passing out parade.

The force has now recruited the full 107 police officers pledged as part of the national uplift and a further 40 delivered by the 2020-21 budget – many of whom have already completed their initial training and are bolstering the front line.

Plans are now underway to recruit a further 150 officers by March 2021, bringing the total number of additional officers to almost 300.

The vast majority of new officers will be deployed in neighbourhood policing roles across the county and as part of the expansion of’ Operation Reacher’ which is being rolled out to all parts of the city and county. There will also be more dedicated beat officers as part of the growth in numbers.

Mr Tipping said: "This is a massive achievement and puts Nottinghamshire firmly in front. Since the upsurge of national funding was announced, we have hit the ground running to ensure our communities benefit from these extra resources as soon as possible and in the current crisis, where resilience will undoubtedly be tested, that has proved extremely prudent.

"A fully resourced police force helps us fight crime more effectively and is exactly what local people want.

“We're already seeing the results of sustained investment, with knife crime falling, bucking the national trend.

“The new officers we recruit over the coming months will be vital to supporting these efforts and increasing our capacity to respond to threat. We will also pay special attention to expanding diversity and encouraging people from all walks of life.”