Ellie Ames 13 February 2024

Call to recruit 19,000 neighbourhood officers

Call to recruit 19,000 neighbourhood officers image
Image: CLICKMANIS / Shutterstock.com

A think-tank has urged the Government to launch a recruitment drive to boost police numbers and restore trust in neighbourhood policing.

The number of people who feel the Government is handling the issue of crime ‘well’ has halved since 2020, and the public has also noticed the decline in neighbourhood policing, centre right think-tank Onward said.

Onward’s new report urges the Government to launch an uplift programme to hire 19,000 neighbourhood officers, made up of 3,000 police officers, 10,000 police community support officers (PCSOs), and 6,000 special constables.

The programme should be funded by removing the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) precept cap and introducing a ringfenced Home Office grant, the report adds.

It also calls for the creation of new ‘pop up’ police stations in disused high street premises, the use of facial recognition technology to tackle theft and drug offences, and expanded baseline powers for PCSOs.

The report has been endorsed by 10 PCCS.

Home secretary James Cleverly said: ‘Onward have focused their report on an area of policing that deserves attention – and one that I am absolutely committed to.

‘Whilst we may not support each and every one of their proposals, I welcome the thinking that Onward have provoked and would encourage policing to read it carefully.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Law & Governance

South Kesteven District Council
c. £110k inc.
Effective decision-making in local government leads to better outcomes for communities. Lincolnshire
Recuriter: South Kesteven District Council

Regeneration Manager

West Northamptonshire Council
£65,098 - £71,353
The Major Projects and Regeneration Team, part of our Place, Economy and Environment directorate, is at the heart of delivering this vision. Working with government, private sector partners and our local communities, we are driving forward projects funded One Angel Square 4 Angel Street Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Director of Streetscene

Fareham Borough Council
£92,027 - £105,394 (Director Grade) Pay award pending
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Shared Lives Social Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£37,035 - £43,693
About the Role Your role will be working with Shared Lives Carers and people who use the service to ensure that there is a good outcome for everyone. Assessing people for their suitability to become carers, presenting assessment reports to the Shared Live Abingdon with some agile working/working from home
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Lawyer Employment

Durham County Council
£45,718 to £49,764 p.a. (Grade 13) pay award pending
An opportunity for an Employment Lawyer has become available to work at Durham County Council as part of the Legal and Democratic Services Team. Durh Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner