HAMPSHIRE Constabulary is to recruit more than 100 new officers to the benefit of both urban and rural communities.

The announcement, made by Hampshire and the Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner Simon Hayes, follows the Chancellor’s announcement in his Autumn Statement that he has scrapped plans for further budget cuts.

Hampshire’s recruitment decision will see the biggest influx of new officers to enter the force since 2010. And it will enable Chief Constable Andy Marsh to honour Mr Hayes’ commitment to neighbourhood policing in both rural and urban areas.

Mr Hayes said: “Previous years of government policy cutting funding has put intolerable strain on policing across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I don’t believe that officer numbers can be cut any further while protecting people and places in the way the public expect.

“We will be recruiting 108 new police officers into Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as soon as possible. This supports my commitment to neighbourhood policing and will have a direct benefit to all communities.

“These new recruits will bring much-needed support to those officers and staff who have been so stretched in protecting the public in recent difficult times.”

Mr Hayes’ police and crime plan lays out a clear expectation that Hampshire Constabulary will become more representative of all communities, and specifically “black minority ethnic” officers and staff.

He continued: “Within this wave of recruitment, we will look to increase the percentage of black minority ethnic officers and staff in the force. The Constabulary must now deliver on its commitment in this respect.”

Mr Hayes’ commitment to cost-saving programmes across the two counties has helped to support frontline policing despite government cuts.

Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks and can be expected to include details of how new investment will be made to combat cyber crime and bolster the force’s firearms capability.