Moorlands MP Karen Bradley has welcomed the announcement that Staffordshire has been bolstered by an additional 55 officers since the Government launched its major police recruitment drive one year ago.

The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across Staffordshire up to 1,703.

Since the launch of the Government's recruitment campaign one year ago, a total of 5,824 extra officers have joined police forces across England and Wales.

The Government hopes to recruit 20,000 extra officers by 2023, and to have the first 6,000 in place by March 2021.

Karen said: "Getting more police officers onto our streets is one of the people's priorities, and so I am delighted that in just over one year, this Government has already delivered an extra 55 officers across Staffordshire.

"I am in regular contact with our local police in the Moorlands and would like to thank them for everything they do for us, especially during these difficult times.

"Every one of these extra officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe."

Home Secretary Priti Patel added: "Getting more police officers on our streets is a priority for the British people – therefore a priority for me.

"Just one year since we began recruiting, I am delighted that there are nearly 6,000 of the 20,000 additional officers on our streets cutting crime and making your communities safer.

"As we've seen from the frontline response to coronavirus, the work of each and every police officer helps to save lives and I would like to extend my gratitude to them, and to the new recruits, for joining the police and being a part of this heroic national effort."