Javid admits crime may rise without more police officers

CRIME could rise unless the Government increases police numbers Sajid Javid admitted yesterday as he disclosed it would take three years to deliver on a pledge for an extra 20,000 officers.

“If we don’t get police numbers right, that would mean more crime ... in coming years,” the Home Secretary told the Commons home affairs committee, as he was pressed by its chairman, Yvette Cooper, to accept that fewer officers had led to rising crime.

He said work by the Home Office suggested it would take three years – at a rate of about 7,000 extra police officers each year – to hit the target pledged by Boris Johnson and Mr Javid during the Conservative leadership contest.

Ms Cooper repeatedly asked whether Mr Javid stood by his leadership campaign assertion that “more police on the beat means less crime on our streets”.

Mr Javid said there were complex reasons for rising crime but added: “I have been clear that police numbers are an important factor that we need to get right.”

He also maintained his declaration of migrant crossings in the Channel as a “major incident” had been a success as there was “no loss of life” – even though the numbers coming this year have more than doubled since 2018.

He revealed 725 migrants had successfully made the crossing and 425 were intercepted by the French.

His permanent secretary admitted the Home Office had spent £780,000 on two Navy vessels to support the operation before two Border Force cutters were permanently deployed.