Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve police presence and trust in local communities.

The Government is committed to giving police the resources they need to tackle the scourge of crime, including supporting police forces to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers by March 2023. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the police have now recruited an extra 8,771 officers, 44% of the 20,000-officer target, and have therefore exceeded the first target of 6,000 additional officers by March 2021. The police workforce is now more representative of the communities it serves than ever before, with the latest data showing the highest proportion of black, Asian, and minority ethnic and female officers since records began.

In 2021-2022, we are providing £425m to spend on the recruitment of 6,000 additional officers by 2022. Of this, PCCs will receive £415m for territorial policing and Regional Organised Crime Units.

The police's ability to fulfil their duties is dependent on their ability to secure and maintain public trust and support for their actions, as part of the model of policing by consent.

That is why the Government have put in place measures to ensure that policing is subject to appropriate levels of transparency and accountability. This includes regular inspections by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), publication of data on the use of police powers and strengthening the police complaints and discipline systems.