AN OXFORDSHIRE MP has welcomed the announcement that Thames Valley Police has recruited more than 250 new officers.

The addition of 258 officers brings the total number across the Thames Valley to 4,250.

The Government launched a recruitment campaign a year ago, which has seen 6,620 officers join police forces across England and Wales.

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Witney MP Robert Courts said: “Getting more police officers on the streets and into our communities is a top priority of West Oxfordshire residents, and so I am delighted that in just over one year, the Government has already delivered over 250 extra officers across our area.

“I know that every one of these officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep our communities safe.

“Many of these new officers are already on our streets helping to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and for that they get my huge thanks.”

The Government’s manifesto commitment was to recruit 20,000 extra officers by 2023.

The new statistics also show that the police workforce is becoming more diverse, with 10.2 per cent of new recruits identifying as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, with 9,871 of all officers now being from these groups.