More than 50 new police officers have been welcomed to Cumbria Constabulary since the Government announced a funding boost last year.

The force has seen 53 new recruits join since the Government’s move in September.

Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “It’s fantastic to see Cumbria Constabulary having the opportunity to recruit extra officers with funding from the Government.

“In Cumbria, we took the bold decision to recruit early and we are already seeing the benefits with more than 27 additional police officers through their training, out on our streets, keeping us safe.

“This has allowed additional resources to start to be placed in key areas such as Keswick and Brampton dealing with the issues that matter the most to you.

“The additional officers are a significant boost to rural areas and mean that our urban officers can focus on their communities providing a much better response to both communities.

“53 officers is an incredible addition in the first phase and I have had the opportunity to meet some of the new officers last year – they are very eager, talented and are keen to serve and protect the people of Cumbria.”

Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said that since March 2019, the police workforce had grown by five per cent – the largest annual increase in officer numbers since 2003-04 .

He added that forces were also becoming more diverse and representative of the communities they serve.

Dr Hudson said: “Getting more police officers onto our streets is a huge priority for people and this Government, and so I am delighted that Cumbria has been bolstered with an extra 53 officers so far.

“Every one of these officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe – and I am reassured that many more will follow as this Government continues to deliver on its promise to recruit 20,000 more over the next three years.

“By backing our police with the funding, powers and resources they need, we will keep the public and our communities safe, so that people everywhere can live their lives free from the fear of crime.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “As we’ve seen from the frontline response to the coronavirus, the work of each and everypolice officer helps to save lives and I would like to extend my gratitude to them, and to the new recruits, for joining the service and being a part of this heroic effort.”