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24/11/2004
1,600 new community police officers to be recruited
Up to 1,600 more community support officers (CSOs) are to set be drafted in as back up for the England and Wales' 43 police forces, it has been announced today.
This new influx of CSOs will bring the total number to 5,500 – the first stage in an expansion programme that will see 24,000 CSOs on the streets by the end of 2008.
The extra CSOs are part of the government's commitment to help get total numbers up to 5,500 by the end of March.
According to Home Office research, CSOs have been "very successful" at increasing visibility and providing reassurance to communities, with CSOs spending at least 70% of their time on patrol. The department cited Leeds city centre as a positive example of the impact support officers can make – in the 12 months following the introduction of CSOs vehicle related crime fell by 31% and personal robbery fell by 47%.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "Our police reform white paper, published earlier this month, places highly visible, accessible and accountable neighbourhood policing at the very heart of our programme to modernise the police and improve standards of service to the public.
"Community support officers are a key element of that programme. They complement constables by providing highly visible patrols and focusing on low-level crime and nuisance behaviour, which we know reduces fear of crime and improves quality of life in our communities."
The Home Secretary has set a target of seeing total police officer numbers hit 132,500 in 2004, and support officers top 4,000 by the end of 2005.
(gmcg/sp)
This new influx of CSOs will bring the total number to 5,500 – the first stage in an expansion programme that will see 24,000 CSOs on the streets by the end of 2008.
The extra CSOs are part of the government's commitment to help get total numbers up to 5,500 by the end of March.
According to Home Office research, CSOs have been "very successful" at increasing visibility and providing reassurance to communities, with CSOs spending at least 70% of their time on patrol. The department cited Leeds city centre as a positive example of the impact support officers can make – in the 12 months following the introduction of CSOs vehicle related crime fell by 31% and personal robbery fell by 47%.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: "Our police reform white paper, published earlier this month, places highly visible, accessible and accountable neighbourhood policing at the very heart of our programme to modernise the police and improve standards of service to the public.
"Community support officers are a key element of that programme. They complement constables by providing highly visible patrols and focusing on low-level crime and nuisance behaviour, which we know reduces fear of crime and improves quality of life in our communities."
The Home Secretary has set a target of seeing total police officer numbers hit 132,500 in 2004, and support officers top 4,000 by the end of 2005.
(gmcg/sp)
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Police numbers in England and Wales have reached record high levels of more than 141,000, the Home Office has reported. The number of police officers has increased by more than 2,000 since March 2004 to 141,230.
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Police numbers in England and Wales have reached record high levels of more than 141,000, the Home Office has reported. The number of police officers has increased by more than 2,000 since March 2004 to 141,230.
05 December 2006
Community police officer remains critically ill
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16 May 2006
Survey reveals threat faced by police
Around 7,000 police officers have been threatened with a gun and 40,000 police officers have been threatened with a knife while on duty in the past two years, a survey has revealed.
Survey reveals threat faced by police
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26 April 2005
Queen unveils National Police Memorial
The Queen has unveiled a National Police Memorial in tribute to British police officers killed in the line of duty. The £2.3 million project includes a large black wall with a glass cabinet displaying a book which names 1,600 police officers who have died in the line of duty.
Queen unveils National Police Memorial
The Queen has unveiled a National Police Memorial in tribute to British police officers killed in the line of duty. The £2.3 million project includes a large black wall with a glass cabinet displaying a book which names 1,600 police officers who have died in the line of duty.
18 January 2006
More powers for Community Support Officers
Community Support Officers (CSOs) are to being given a range of news powers, such as the authority to issue a fixed penalty notice for littering or graffiti, or to confiscate drugs or alcohol, the Home Office announced today. The measures are designed to help tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.
More powers for Community Support Officers
Community Support Officers (CSOs) are to being given a range of news powers, such as the authority to issue a fixed penalty notice for littering or graffiti, or to confiscate drugs or alcohol, the Home Office announced today. The measures are designed to help tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.
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