Extra 18 police officers for Portsmouth as 156 recruited in Hampshire

Hampshire police leaders have crunched crime statistics to work out where to deploy the 156 officers recruited as part of the national uplift paid for by government.

Fareham is set to get four, Gosport will have five, and Havant gets eight.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader at Fareham Borough Council, said it was ‘appalling’ his district is getting four officers and he has ‘protested vociferously’ to the force asking to see the justification.

He added: ‘I think Fareham should get its fair share – if there are more police officers available I think they should be divvied up fairly around the force area.

The 156 officers are funded in the first wave of the government’s plans to increase numbers by 20,000 – going some way to reverse 10 years of austerity.

Cllr Woodward added: ‘I think it sends out the wrong message to Fareham’s population, which is paying at least as much towards policing as any other district.’

Another 43 officers are being split into the investigation departments, contact management team, and specialist investigation teams, including drugs and child abuse teams.

Around 3,000 applications were sent in for the jobs – with 13 per cent of those from ‘diverse' backgrounds.

Police did not say how many of those had been successful, or how many were from ethnic minority groups.

Assistant chief constable Maggie Blyth said: ‘We are constantly striving to serve and support all in our communities the best we can each day.

‘Part of this is ensuring that, as a force, we truly reflect those we are serving.

‘It is very pleasing to see that within the 3,000 applications received there 13 per cent who are from diverse backgrounds.

‘I am also very happy that we have been able to push forward with our recruitment programme throughout the pandemic, and that we are now able to announce how we will be deploying the 156 officers who will be hired through the government uplift.

‘It has been great to see many high quality candidates applying to join the force.

‘Our aim is to become an employer of choice, focused on attraction, retention and progression, bringing the best and talented individuals into the Constabulary, ensuring they can all reach their true potential.’

Hampshire runs a ‘borderless’ force meaning officers can be redeployed.

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