More than 1,400 new police officers have joined forces in the past three months as part of a Government-backed recruitment blitz.
Home Office figures show that more than 16,700 additional officers have now joined up as part of a pledge to put 20,000 extra police on the streets by March this year.
Now 1,420 are joining the ranks, around 84% of the target.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Improving confidence in our police forces means we must attract the brightest and the best to one of the toughest but most rewarding jobs in our country. I am delighted we are on track to deliver our bold promise to the British people of putting 20,000 additional officers on the streets.
“This next generation of brave police officers will add to efforts to drive down invasive crimes like burglary and neighbourhood offences, return to common sense policing and make our communities feel safer and stronger.”
There have been some who have concerns raised about the standard of vetting in the recruitment programme, including Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley who doubted the wisdom of such rapid hiring.
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The Government made the pledge to return 20,000 officers lost during the austerity aftermath of the global financial crash in 2008.
Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Martin Hewitt, said: “We are getting really close to achieving an additional 20,000 officers into policing nationwide and I am pleased to see great progress with this ambition from all forces.
“All of our police forces are working hard to recruit new officers who meet nationally agreed College of Policing standards by the end of March and although we are nearly there, we know how important it is to continue to focus our efforts on making sure policing is as diverse and representative as the communities we serve.”