Milton Keynes’ MPs, Iain Stewart and Ben Everitt, have welcomed the news that Thames Valley Police now have more police officers than ever before.
As of 31 March 2024, figures show that there are now 5,120 police officers in the Thames Valley Police Force, a 13% increase on 2010’s figures.
Following the Conservative Government’s pledge in 2019 to recruit 20,000 police officers across, it was announced last year that it had been met and exceeded.
But last month, in Thames Valley, it was announced police officer numbers are 870 above the uplift baseline, totalling 604 more police officers than in 2010 when the Conservatives came into Government.
This news comes alongside Matther Barber’s announcement as the Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner of doubling the number of police officers in neighbourhood teams during 2023/24 and Thames Valley's budget growing to its highest level of funding ever this year with total funding of £584.6m.
Commenting, Iain Stewart MP said:
“It is extremely welcome news that Thames Valley Police have more police officers than ever before, 870 more since the Conservative Government’s 20,000 new police officers’ pledge in 2019.
“This increase in numbers means more police officers will be able to patrol our neighbourhoods and respond to calls and reports of crime, ultimately meaning our streets will be safer.
“It is clear that only a Conservative Government is committed to doing what is necessary to keep our communities and neighbourhoods safe.”
Ben Everitt MP said: “Getting more police on our streets has been a priority for me and I’m delighted we’ve now got 870 more officers for Thames Valley Police than in 2019.
“I know seeing those officers out and about is so important to local communities so I’m really pleased we’re also planning on doubling the number of neighbourhood officers locally.”
“We’re also getting tough on knife crime and thanks to the introduction of Op Deter we can now say that anybody who is caught with a knife in Milton Keynes will spend time behind bars.”