Force plans to recruit 90 more police next year

Another 90 police officers are set to be recruited for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, helped by increases on council tax bills from April.

The area's police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said she initially hoped to recruit 50 officers.

But after the government announced an extra £100m for policing, she said Hampshire and Isle of Wight could fund more.

The police precept will increase to £14 for Band D properties, which will mean residents living in those pay a total of £275.46 for policing in 2025/26.

Jones said that despite the "invidious" situation of many police forces across the country having to cut police staff, community support officers and officers, she could propose recruiting more officers.

"I'm absolutely delighted to say that we are looking at around 90 extra brand-new officers," she told Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's Crime Panel on Friday.

"The funding coming from the government is our share of about £100m on the proviso that the [increased charge of] £1.17 per month for a Band D property is supported."

Jones said she expects recruiting the new officers to take about 18 months.

"We are going to do everything in our power to make sure every single penny of public money is spent in this police force so we can protect and keep our front line," she added.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary had about 3,400 officers in April 2023, up from 2,775 in March 2020.

But that was still less than the 3,750 officers the force said it had in March 2010.

Of the police force's budget, 59% of it will come from government funding and 41% of it from council tax.

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