A cash boost of £19 million for Merseyside Police has been announced today, as part of a £15 billion budget for tackling crime around the country next year.
This includes over £400 million recruit 20,000 extra police officers by 2023, delivering on the promise made by the Conservatives in last year’s General Election. Merseyside, including Wallasey, has already benefited from an extra 251 officers.
The funding will be also be used to bolster counter-terrorism policing, including money for armed policing and more officers.
Former police officer and Wallasey Councillor, Lesley Rennie, said: "Officers and staff at Merseyside Police have done a fantastic job throughout the pandemic to ensure safety and security for our local communities.
"We promised, at the election a year ago, to recruit an extra 20,000 police officers across the country and, here in Merseyside, the first 250 have already been signed up.
Home Secretary Priti Patel added: "We have asked more of the police than ever before during the coronavirus pandemic – the British people and I are extremely grateful for their dedication.
“I am absolutely committed to giving the police the resources they need – this funding package delivers on that. It will allow us to continue to put more police on the streets, and reduce crime as we build back safer from the pandemic.”
Since the election we have:
- Put a record number of officers onto our streets: since November 2019, 12,675 new officers have joined forces across England and Wales.
- Enshrined a new police covenant into law to enhance support and protection for our frontline police officers.
- Bringing forward legislation to double the maximum sentence for those convicted of assaults on frontline staff including police officers, firefighters and paramedics
- Equipped more than 8,000 officers with Taser devices, ensuring they have the resources they need to keep themselves safe.
