Number of female officers tops 50,000 for first time
More than 50,000 female officers are now in place in police forces across England and Wales, the highest number since records began, according to Home Office figures.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) described it as “a really positive milestone” with female officers now making up more than a third of the overall workforce.
“The figure of 50,364 women in the 43 police forces achieved today means there are now more female police officers pursuing criminals and serving the public than since records began – making up 34.9 per cent of the overall workforce,” said the Home Office. “Of the recruits hired since April 2020, 42.5 per cent (13,326) are women.”
The Government said its “unprecedented drive to hire thousands more recruits” was on track to deliver 20,000 additional officers by March 2023, with 15,343 extra officers already hired – making up 77 per cent of the target.
The Home Office says the new recruits are already having a “positive impact” in forces across England and Wales.
I added: “For example, Avon and Somerset Constabulary has put more officers into responding to rape and sexual assault through its Operation Soteria following the Police Uplift Programme, and Lancashire Constabulary has expanded its Missing From Home community safety officer team to track down missing children and protect those at risk of exploitation.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “As Home Secretary my first priority is to protect the British public from harm and I am absolutely steadfast in my determination to drive down crime.
“That’s why I am delighted the Government is on track to deliver 20,000 additional police officers by March 2023, with 15,343 already recruited to bring criminals to justice.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for forces to become more representative of the communities they serve and I am heartened to see there are now over 50,000 women in forces across England and Wales for the first time.
“With the extra officers recruited I want to continue to see forces doubling down on tackling murder, serious violence and neighbourhood crimes which tear communities apart.”
NPCC’s lead for workforce diversity and representation, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Kearton, said: “Reaching 50,000 female police officers is a really positive milestone. The uplift programme has seen many more women apply to join policing across a range of roles and responsibilities.
“We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – regardless of their age, gender, race, faith or sexual orientation. By increasing diversity we will better represent our communities and those who we police by consent.
“We know that more needs to be done to ensure that women see policing as an attractive career and as we continue through the police uplift, we hope this positive increase continues.”
A recent Home Office survey showed that job satisfaction was 90 per cent for new recruits who have joined the police as part of the Government’s uplift programme, 79 per cent of new recruits have had their expectations of joining the police met or exceeded, while 81 per cent intend to stay in the police for the rest of their working lives.
Compared with other roles in the public sector, voluntary resignations in policing are low at 2.5 per cent, said the Home Office.
It added: “Total police funding has increased by up to £1.1 billion this year, providing up to £16.9 billion for the policing system.
“In addition, every police officer received a £1,900 uplift to their salary this year which equalled up to an 8.8 per cent increase for those on the lower salary bands.”