THE number of new officers each area of the county will receive has been revealed by Hampshire Constabulary.

Through the government's recruitment drive, 156 new police offices will join the force, with allocation now confirmed for the first phase of the initiative.

In late June, Hampshire Constabulary finished the last of its recruitment activity for the first year of this programme, with 3,000 applications being received.

A force statement said: "We are determined that the Constabulary truly reflects the communities we serve, and throughout the application process we have been seeking quality candidates as well as greater diversity."

The officer allocation is based on analysis of crime figures and the demand in district.

The number of new officers asigned to each area is as follows:

  • Southampton 20
  • Eastleigh 7
  • New Forest 8
  • Test Valley 5
  • Winchester 5
  • Fareham 4
  • Gosport 5
  • Hart 4
  • Rushmoor 5
  • Havant 8
  • Basingstoke 9
  • Portsmouth 18
  • East Hants 4
  • Isle of Wight 9
  • Countrywatch 1
  • Local Policing Delivery Unit 1

The remaining 43 new officers will be deployed across local crime investigation departments, the contact management team, and specialist criminal investigation teams such as the Child Abuse Investigation Team or High Harm teams.

Hampshire Constabulary said as a force it operates a ‘borderless’ policy, which ensures officers can be deployed away from their assigned location if it is deemed operationally necessary.

Each of the areas is also supported by a number of other teams within the force, including our response officers, investigations teams and our various specialist departments.

Assistant Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said: “We are constantly striving to serve and support all in our communities the best we can each day.

“Part of this is ensuring that, as a force, we truly reflect those we are serving.

“It is very pleasing to see that within the 3,000 applications received there 13 per cent who are from diverse backgrounds.

“I am also very happy that we have been able to push forward with our recruitment programme throughout the pandemic, and that we are now able to announce how we will be deploying the 156 officers who will be hired through the government uplift.

“It has been great to see many high quality candidates applying to join the force.

“Our aim is to become an employer of choice, focused on attraction, retention and progression, bringing the best and talented individuals into the Constabulary, ensuring they can all reach their true potential.”