Over 150 more Greater Manchester Police officers needed to meet recruitment target
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The Police Federation of England and Wales has said it is "unlikely" the Government will meet its target of 20,000 new police officers across the two countries by March.
Home Office figures show there were 7,778 police officers for Greater Manchester in December 2022, up six per cent from 7,348 the year before.
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Hide AdMuch of this increase was driven by officers hired through the Government's uplift programme. As of December, 991 officers were recruited through the programme in Greater Manchester – 86 per cent of the target of 1,155 new officers in the area.
Across England and Wales, over 16,800 additional police officers have joined the force since April 2020 as part of the Government’s pledge to recruit 20,000 new officers by March. It means 84 per cent of that target has been achieved.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she is "delighted" that she believes the Government is on track to fulfilling the pledge.
"This next generation of brave police officers will add to efforts to drive down invasive crimes like burglary and neighbourhood offences, return to common sense policing and make our communities feel safer and stronger," she added.
Policing and Crime Minister Chris Philp said: "In a matter of months, when this once-in-a-generation recruitment drive is complete and we have a record number of officers across England and Wales, our police forces will be more representative than ever of the communities they serve."
The figures also show a record number of female officers, with more than 51,100 at the end of last year.
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Hide AdAdditionally, there were about 11,700 police officers who identify as being from an ethnic minority – more than ever before.
In GMP, there were 2,791 female officers (36 per cent) and 755 officers identifying from an ethnic minority (10 per cent).
PFEW deputy national chair Tiff Lynch, said it seems unlikely the promised recruitment numbers will be reached despite the government's "positive rhetoric"."While the uplift programme aim to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers was welcome, it should not be overlooked that it was the Government who cut the number of officers in the first place," she added.