POLICE RECRUITS DROP IN HAMPSHIRE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Sep 2007

Police Officer recruitment numbers in Hampshire continue drop, after Government figures show recruitment in 2005/06 was lower than in 2002/03 & 2003/04.

The figures were in response to a Parliamentary question asked by Sandra.

Commenting on the figures, Sandra said:

"This comes at the same time as a staggering 83% rise in the number of police resignations in the last four years, and a 40% cut in number of Police Community Support Officers in Hampshire

"It is a matter of concern that in Southampton and Portsmouth violent crime is above national average. In Hampshire as a whole there has also been a worrying rise in robbery and offences against vehicles."

"The statistics show that in 2005/06 there were 244 new Police Officer recruits compared to 267 in 2002/03 and 282 in 2003/04. This local trend also appears to be national as the statistics show that in 2005/2006 there were 6,260 new recruits, compared to 7,148 and 10,497 in 2002/03 & 2003/04 respectively."

"Surely when there is an increase in crime, there should not be a drop in Police Officer recruitment. Clearly the Government needs to address why numbers of Officers are dropping, whether it be through low morale or lack of funding. One thing is certain, crime will not drop if the number of police recruits continue to fall ."

Ends

Notes to editors:

Funding was promised for 539 Community Support Officers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight but due to funding cuts the number has been reduced to 333.