An additional 4,336 people have signed up to become police officers following the Uplift recruitment campaign. The Home Office claims it is the largest annual increase in officer numbers since 2003.

A further 4,336 officers are set to swell the ranks of police forces in England and Wales, according to the government.

Home Office figures revealed that since the start of the campaign, 9,327 officers have joined police forces – 22% of its target to get 20,000 more police on the beat.

Some forces have met their recruitment target eight months ahead of schedule.

The Whitehall department also updated employment figures showing the police workforce has grown by 5% compared to 31 March 2019. The figures showed the highest proportion of black, Asian and minority ethnic officers, as well as female officers, since records began.

The increase in numbers has come despite the COVID-19 lockdown which resulted in forces switching to digital recruitment developed by the College of Policing including video interviews to meet their targets.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “We are delivering on the people’s priorities – putting more police officers on the streets to cut crime and keep us safe.

“Our brave police officers have gone above and beyond during the coronavirus pandemic, clearly inspiring many others to join them.”

Mike Cunningham, Chief Executive of the College of Policing, said the online developments as well as the new policing degrees had improved the offer of a policing career.

He said: “The College of Policing’s new national entry routes into policing are being implemented by forces across England and Wales and will ensure that those joining the service are trained to consistently high standards so they are equipped to meet the challenges and complexity of modern policing.”