MORE than 400 new police officers were hired in Hampshire over the last year – but the recruitment drive will not stop yet.

The county constabulary has seen 412 people commit to the thin blue line since the launch of a Government's scheme to increase police presence nationally.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the 'uplift programme' in April 2020 with the aim of employing 20,000 new recruits by March 2023.

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In Hampshire, the figure has risen by 14.8 per cent since then, with 382 being recruited via the initiative, and the other 30 through local funds.

"We are starting to see a positive impact with 400 extra officers already in and progressing through training, and with the first waves of these now starting to be deployed on the frontline," said a Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson.

"What we aren’t seeing yet is anything like the full potential because hundreds of these need to compete their training. The exciting thing is that we have another 200 extra officers who will start by April 2023, taking the total extra to 600 extra."

The force is currently not recruiting as it is processing the final wave of applicants.

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But a 'window of opportunity' will open soon, as the constabulary "wants as many officers as possible".

"The good news is that the ‘uplift’ boost is actually going further," said the spokesperson. "Hampshire will benefit from more than just the national government uplift. This national plan would have seen 498 extra officers join."

"The reason there are 600 extra officers in total is because of the backing from local people through their council tax contributions, and we are very grateful for that support.

"Our Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones recently approved that budget so that all of those 600 extra are now guaranteed and we are on track to get them all in on time."

Hampshire's increase in officers since April 2020 was 6.4 per cent – greater than the average rise of 3.5 per cent across England and Wales’s police forces.

On applying, the spokesperson continued: "To be successful, policing needs difference - new people with different experiences from all communities to complement the great staff and officers we already have.

"You might never have thought about policing before but that isn’t a barrier. If you are interested in joining keep an eye on our website, where you can sign up for alerts."

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