Force to recruit more officers to boost visibility

Staffordshire Police has announced new recruitment will take it to its highest number of officers in 15 years.

The force said the 26 new officers would join in "the next year or so" to strengthen local policing teams and focus on increased visibility.

It added that prioritising investment in new technology would also enable it to respond faster and free-up officer time, including the capability for information to be brought together quickly during incidents and digital forensics to identify criminals faster.

"It is our ambition to be an outstanding local police service that delivers what matters to victims and local communities," Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs said.

She added: "We recognise the need for additional officers in local policing, and despite funding being challenging, we've achieved that through this increase in precept and our savings programme."

The force is also set to introduce an AI virtual assistant to its contact centre for non-emergency queries.

This would be "ethical and proportionate", the force said, and would not replace the professional judgement of staff.

Riggs said that thanks to previous investments the force had seen reductions in burglaries at homes and thefts from individuals.

Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams said it had been "another challenging year for setting the police budget".

He added that government funding did not fully cover the increased cost of inflation, pay rises or national policy decisions.

"Every penny raised will be focused on strengthening the service, so it is fit for the future," he said.

"This, coupled with robust savings, will mean we are all better off and safer.

"It will allow us to continue investing in officers and staff, and ensure they have the equipment and skills required to keep themselves – and you – safe."

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