Police numbers rise to 'all-time high' of 138,000

Police numbers in England and Wales have reached a "new all-time high" of 138,000, according the Home Office.

Government figures have shown that there had been an increase of 11,000 policemen since 1997, when Labour were swept to power, compared to a fall of 1,100 in the previous four years, Home Secretary David Blunkett said today.

The latest figures show there were 138,155 police officers at the end of December 2003, compared to 132,268 in December 2002 - an increase of nearly 6,000 and the highest annual rise on record.

They take the total number of the extended police family to more than 212,000, including 3,346 community support officers (CSOs), 11,037 special constables and 63,000 police staff, the Home Office said.

Speaking to the National Reassuring Policing conference today, Mr Blunkett said that the chance of being a victim of crime was at its lowest for 20 years – but surveys, he said, had shown that 64% of people believe crime has increased, with only 6% believing that it has fallen.

He added: "Police numbers continue to rise and it is vital that we make the best use of them to make a real difference to quality of life in our communities. The police reform programme is continuing with good results – we have committed £100 million to recruit community support officers, reduced bureaucracy and provided modern equipment and technology to free up officers.

"I want to build on the progress we have already made by redefining the relationship of the police with the people they serve, making them locally accountable and more responsive to local needs."

The Home Secretary also announced a £5 million package to fund the "reassurance policing programme", which aims to strengthen community involvement in policing to identify and tackle crimes which fuel fear in local neighbourhoods.

The trials, in eight police force areas, have seen residents, police and local authorities build partnerships to address common complaints like graffiti, vandalism, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Tim Godwin, assistant chief commissioner at the Metropolitan police and Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman for reassurance policing, said that the programme was about "delivering a policing style which recognises local priorities".

(gmcg)