Conservative parliamentary candidate for Isle of Wight West, Bob Seely, has welcomed a plan from his party to put even more police on the streets.
In the run up to a General Election on 4 July, the Conservatives have set out their plans to recruit 8,000 new full-time police officers with full powers of arrest – more than doubling the number Labour has pledged.
The plan means the new officers will focus solely on policing their local beat, boosting the visible police presence in their area, cutting crime and helping people feel safer.
In addition, Hotspot Policing will be rolled out to all police forces to cut anti-social behaviour.
Bob said: “I welcome the news that, under the Conservatives, we will see even more police officers returned to our streets.
“Our police work incredibly hard to keep our communities safe, and this boost will enable them to do even more.
“Since 2019, the Conservative government has recruited 20,000 additional officers. Now, we will see a further 8,000 out on the beat.
“Working with our excellent Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, we have already delivered:
- 30 additional police officers on the Island.
- A named local bobby for every Island community.
- Returned dedicated Roads Traffic Police officers to the Island.
- Opened up a new police station in Cowes.
“Now, we want to do even more to tackle the crimes that disrupt local communities and cause people to feel unsafe.
“We know what people want from local policing and we have plans in place to deliver it.”
Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones said: “Over the last three years I have worked closely with Bob to make the Island safer. Putting an end to Anti-Social-Behaviour, shoplifting and people driving dangerously on Island roads has been a priority.
“Bob has been a strong and effective voice, making sure that both the police and members of the government understand the unique pressures of the Isle of Wight. That’s what I’m backing Bob to be your next MP for Isle of West.”
The Conservatives say they will deliver their plan by:
- Recruiting 8,000 new fully warranted police officers as part of a new neighbourhood policing uplift programme. We will build on the success of our Police Uplift Programme that has delivered 20,000 more police since 2019 by recruiting an additional 8,000 police officers with the full power of arrest – that means an additional police officer for every ward in England and Wales.
- Ensuring that these new officers are focused on their local neighbourhoods. These officers will work as part of existing neighbourhood teams, which will ensure every neighbourhood will have a genuine and more continuous police officer coverage. We will also require forces not to offset these additional officers by diverting police officers, already dedicated to neighbourhood duties, to other purposes.
- Rolling out Hotspot Policing to all police forces to cut anti-social behaviour. We will roll out our successful hotspot policing programme across the whole of England and Wales over the next Parliament. This will ensure that an additional 3 to 4.5 million hours of patrolling can take place in hundreds of hotspots, proving further protection against anti-social behaviour and serious violence. Anti-social behaviour is also down by nearly 50 percent in some hotspot areas.
