Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the recruitment of black police officers.

The Government is clear that the police uplift is a once in a generation opportunity to increase the diversity of police officers in England and Wales. This includes increasing the proportion of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic recruits.

It is encouraging to see that the proportion of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic officers is growing and is at its highest since comparable records began. There are now over 10,000 officers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background in forces across England and Wales however there is much more to be done and forces cannot be complacent.

Through the Police Uplift Programme, we are supporting all forces with a variety of attraction and recruitment strategies, whilst delivering a national campaign designed to reach diverse audiences. Sharing best practice, engagement with police staff associations, upskilling recruitment teams and enhanced data capture are just some of the efforts being made to improve police diversity.