Almost 2,400 additional police officers have been recruited into neighbourhood roles across England and Wales in just six months, according to new Home Office figures.
The data, covering six months to the end of September 2025, suggests the government is on track to deliver its promise of 3,000 extra neighbourhood officers within a year, with 2,383 police officers and community support officers now in neighbourhood roles.
The commitment was announced last April as part of efforts to “drive down anti-social behaviour blighting town centres and residential areas,” said the government.
Ministers claimed the recruitment drive marks progress towards the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which aims to double neighbourhood policing by adding 13,000 officers by the end of current parliament.
As a result of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, dedicated teams are now spending their time out on the beat, the Home Office said, with additional patrols focused on anti-social behaviour, shop theft and vandalism.
Every neighbourhood now has named, contactable officers, while each force has a dedicated lead for anti-social behaviour, it added.
Bobbies on the beat, not behind desks
The government said it plans to move officers out of desk-based roles and back into frontline policing, thanks to a “record” £18.4bn police budget for the next financial year.
A new Neighbourhood Policing Ringfence would replace the current Officer Maintenance Grant, which the government argues had “led to forces hiring uniformed officers and then putting them in back-office roles”.
According to the Home Office, the number of officers in desk-based support roles has soared by over 40% in the past six years, while total number of frontline officers increased by around 20%.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said neighbourhood policing had been ”devastated” by austerity and criticised the use of frontline officers in administrative roles.
”I am putting police back where they belong – on the beat, fighting crime and catching criminals in our communities,” said Mahmood.
Momentum must be backed up by the rest of the justice system
Independent retailers have “strongly welcomed” the boost in neighbourhood police officers..
”Retailers are already noticing the difference in the local police presence in their communities and the relationships that they’re building with neighbourhood policing teams, but this momentum must be backed up by the rest of the justice system,” said James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).
“When crimes like theft and abuse in store are reported, they should be investigated and the criminals responsible must be put on a path to stop the cycle of reoffending.”
Figures from the 2025 ACS Crime Report found that over half of independent convenience stores (52%) now rate their relationship with their neighbourhood policing team as very good.
Trade union Usdaw has welcomed further police investment from Labour that would help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in communities and town centres.
Joanne Thomas, general secretary of Usdaw, said: “Usdaw’s latest interim survey results show the level of attacks on retail workers remains high. It is shocking that nearly three-quarters of those working in retail are regularly facing abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. This is a hugely important issue for our members, and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”
You can now secure your tickets to the Convenience Awards 2026!
Join us on 11 March in Liverpool to celebrate the entire convenience community.
See this year’s finalists and book your seat here.
No comments yet