THAMES Valley Police has increased the number of women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic recruits in the last 12 months, according to new figures released today.

As part of the National Police Uplift Programme, the force has recruited over 12 per cent more women police officers compared to the previous three-year average.

It brings the number of women police officers in the force to 35.7 per cent.

The number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic new recruits has also increased by 7 per cent to 13 per cent compared to the past three years.

The population of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the Thames Valley is 15.4 per cent.

Results also show the force is attracting people of all ages, with new recruits ranging from 19 to early 50s.

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable John Campbell said: “A diverse workforce is an important part of our operational effectiveness and is an essential element in maintaining public trust in policing with all of our communities.

“Attracting people from a range of backgrounds brings knowledge, expertise and insight and helps us to build stronger relationships with the public, enabling us to serve and protect them more effectively.

“We acknowledge the difficult times experienced recently in the world of policing, but we remain encouraged by the fact that more women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are applying to join us, to enjoy a fantastic career and make a difference to their communities.”

Following the release of the uplift figures, the Home Secretary Priti Patel today met with Thames Valley Police’s new intake at the force’s training centre in Sulhampstead, Berkshire.

Accompanied by Chief Constable Campbell, she joined a class of aspiring officers during a lesson on interviewing suspects.

For Student Police Officer Catherine Titcombe, aged 44, joining the police has been a long held ambition, which she is now able to fulfil later in life.

“I started completing the application form to become a police officer over 20 years ago, and have started the process on several occasions since,” she said. “Something stopped me from completing it in the past, but I finally found the courage to go through with the full process. 

“The fact that I would also be given the opportunity to study at degree level was also a bonus, as when I had the opportunity in the past, I was not ready. 

“I feel like all the experience I’ve had in life so far has prepared me for now and I am really excited to become qualified and finally achieve my potential.”

The desire to give back to their community and make a difference has also inspired other new recruits to join the force.

Student Police Officer Sanika Mehta, 31, said: “Although I have enjoyed my previous jobs, there wasn’t always a sense of job satisfaction. I therefore decided that I wanted something more challenging and fulfilling. 

“Whilst working at a phone shop previously, the store was robbed. It was an awful experience and the first and only time I have been placed in a position where I was threatened with demands, and felt no sense of security or control over the situation. When the police arrived, I felt a huge sense of relief and safeness. I decided then that I wanted to join the police so I could give back and make others feel that sense of security.”

Thames Valley Police will be opening its officer recruitment programme in early November and more information can be found here: https://tvpcareers.co.uk/roles/police-officer/