Neighbourhood policing boost with 38 new officers being recruited

‘AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO’: Humberside Police has secured £3.2m of funding for officer recruitment. Picture by Tom Arran

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Humberside Police are to recruit 38 new neighbourhood policing officers after securing more than £3.2m in additional funding from the Home Office.

The announcement comes as the Home Office confirms a £200m neighbourhood policing investment available to police forces in 2025/26, with Humberside receiving £3.22m of that.

The force currently has 2,302 officers.

Jonathan Evison, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This initiative helps me deliver on what my latest public survey identified, that 62.7 per cent of respondents had neighbourhood policing as their top priority. The extra officers will support the chief constable’s and my own priorities of strengthening our local policing presence further and deepening community engagement with the public and local businesses.”

He added: “I would like to thank the Home Office for this additional funding. Neighbourhood policing is vital to the British policing model, and I want to make sure it is more accessible to all our communities. Humberside Police proactively shares details of your local neighbourhood team’s priorities and surgery sessions online for those that want to keep up to date on work in their community.

“As highlighted in the latest HMICFRS inspection report, Humberside Police already have an effective neighbourhood policing model, however, we will always welcome initiatives to help us to continue to improve the service provided to our communities.”

New Chief Constable Chris Todd, who was appointed last month, said: “I welcome this news of the Government’s additional funding into neighbourhood policing as this remains a crucial part in how we engage with members of the public and connect with the communities we serve.

“Neighbourhood policing and officers on the streets are a vital part of building trust and confidence and helping to keep our communities safe, so I am delighted this investment will strengthen local policing even further.

“Visibility and engagement with our communities has always been at the heart of everything we do, and I look forward to welcoming the new officers in the coming months as they will look to proudly serve the people of Humberside.”