REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has backed West Mercia’s plans to recruit a further 115 police officers.
The proposals were originally put forward by Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, John Campion.
This latest recruitment drive, on the top of the 100 officers already being recruited this year, would take West Mercia Police’s establishment up to around 2,150 officers – the highest level the force has seen since 2012.
Mrs Maclean said: “My constituents want to see more officers out on the streets of Redditch.
“I shared their concerns with Home Secretary Sajid Javid and also Mr Campion.
“Both have listened and now West Mercia will see police officer numbers at their highest level in six years.”
These proposals have been announced as part of the Commissioner’s budget plans for 2019/20 following the publication of the police funding settlement last week.
In the settlement, the Government revealed it will be increasing its grant funding to West Mercia by £2million next year.
It will be assisting the force with increased pensions costs with a grant of £2.1million and enabling the Commissioner to raise up to £12million in local precept.
A consultation on the draft budget has now started but will close on January 20, 2019.
Details can be found at www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk or Mrs Maclean’s website.
