Stephen Metcalfe, Conservative parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed the Conservative plan to recruit 8,000 additional full-time police officers – helping to increase the headcount of Essex Police even further.
Having met their 2019 manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 new police officers, Conservative parliamentary candidates are now pledging to build on this success and recruit 8,000 more.
These new officers will be specifically focussed on community policing and hotspot policing, boosting the visibility of the police and helping communities feel safer.
The Conservatives will also roll out the Hotspot Policing Programme nationally following its successful pilot in Essex. Earlier this year, it was reported that anti-social behaviour had fallen by 32% in Basildon year-on-year thanks to a £1.1 million investment in hotspot policing and high-vis patrols.
Commenting, Stephen said: “We’ve seen some real local success with our police. Anti-social behaviour recorded a year-on-year fall of 32% in Basildon earlier this year thanks to our £1.1 million investment in hotspot policing and we now have officers across the constituency patrolling areas of high foot traffic – stopping anti-social behaviour in its tracks.
I strongly welcome this commitment to 8,000 new police officers which will help the police massively.
Improving community policing is a key campaign of mine. People must feel safe on the streets. I had quarterly meetings with Essex Police when I was MP and, if I am lucky enough to be re-elected, I will continue to raise your concerns directly with them.”
