An additional £200 million is being allocated to police forces in England and Wales.
The government website states that 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers will be delivered as a result.
The government pledged an £100 million pound boost in December.
The purpose of the doubling of this is to assist the government in meeting its goals for additional officers by 2029.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said, “This major investment marks a turning point for policing in this country. By doubling extra funding to £200 million, we are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSO’S, where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres”.
The boost in funding is to strengthen local crime prevention and community safety.
The Home Secretary continued “every neighbourhood deserves dedicated officers who know their patch, understand residents and concerns”.
One of the governments pledges within its plan for change is that every neighbourhood has a named and contactable officer.
This aims to restore local knowledge and the presence of effective policing.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens of the National Police Chiefs said, “We welcome the investment in neighbourhood policing, it is a vital part of how we engage with our communities, building trust and confidence locally”.
This increase in funding coincides with today’s publication of the government’s final police funding settlement.
Next year, police forces nationwide will get up to £17.5 billion in cash.
This increase of up to £1.1 billion over the police spending settlement for 2024–2025.
This includes funding for officer maintenance, a rise in employer national contributions, and additional funding to cover the costs of the pay awards.
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