Not a Single New Police Officer Recruited in Wales Over Last Two Months

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservatives of failing to meet their police officer pledge in Wales after Government data shows no new officers were recruited in any of Wales’ four police forces during the last two months.

The Conservatives pledged in their 2019 manifesto to recruit 20,000 new police officers across the UK by March 2023, but according to an analysis by the Liberal Democrats the Government would need to double its police recruitment efforts across the UK in the next three months to meet its 20,000 targets as it lags behind by 3,427.

Analysis from the Liberal Democrats shows to meet the target of 20,000 by March 2023, the Government would have to hire 130% more officers each month, up from 494 extra officers a month over the last six months to 1,142.

In Wales Gwent, South Wales and Dyfed-Powys police forces hadn’t recruited a single new officer in the last three months. In North Wales police force they hadn’t recruited in two months.

Responding, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:

“The Conservatives are too busy dealing with sleaze and scandal to properly tackle crime festering in our communities. They are letting down people across the country with their failure to recruit police officers and tackle crime.

“Victims right across the country will be left without confidence in this Government and it’s all because of these broken promises and failures.

“The Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing where people feel safer in their areas and the Government is focused on cutting crime instead of squabbling in Downing Street.”