200 police officers to be recruited in battle against violent crime

WEST Midlands Police is to draft in an extra 200 officers to battle rising knife crime and violence.

The much-welcomed news comes amid a spate of stabbings, shootings and other violent incidents in Coventry and across the region.

The new recruits will come on board over the next two years with the force boosting its officers numbers to 6,739 by 2021.

However, it could be the tip of the iceberg with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner joining forces with police bosses across the country to call for 10,000 new police officers and investment in youth services, to combat knife crime and youth violence.

Also backing the demand are London Mayor Sadiq Kahn and elected politicians responsible for policing in Greater Manchester, Humberside, West Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Cleveland, South Wales and Lancashire.

In a joint letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, also signed by Labour Shadow Policing Minister Louise Haigh, they said: “This is a national crisis, and it requires leadership from the top of government.” They urged the Government to: Convene the COBRA committee, a Government committee that meets in times of national emergency Put 10,000 police officers back on the streets, after years of cuts Rebuild Sure Start, the service for parents and children, and provide funding for youth services

Mr Jamieson said they will be working closely with communities in “priority neighbourhoods”, which have seen a spike in serious crimes such as violence, burglaries and robberies.

Shock figures revealed knife crime has risen by 85 per cent since 2012, and gun crime by over a third during the same period.

West Midlands Police has lost 2,000 officers since 2010, along with colossal cuts of £175million from its budget.

But after raising the council tax by £24 a year, West Midlands Police was able to stop the force from diminishing any further.

Efficiency savings have now enabled the force to grow its numbers once more - for the first time in over a decade.

Recruitment for the new positions will begin shortly.

Dave Thompson, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, said: “The public and the staff of West Midlands Police will welcome the first growth in police officers in over a decade.

“The new officers will be deployed in priority neighbourhoods that are facing serious crime challenges.”