KEIGHLEY and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has welcomed a boost in police numbers.

He says that since the Government launched a major recruitment drive a year ago, the West Yorkshire force has been bolstered by an additional 308 officers.

Mr Moore adds that the total officer strength in West Yorkshire now stands at 5,494.

Across England and Wales, there are an extra 5,824 officers.

Mr Moore, whose constituency includes Silsden and Addingham, says the figures confirm that the Government “remains fully on track” to meet its manifesto commitment of recruiting 20,000 extra officers by 2023 – and is ahead of schedule to have the first 6,000 in place by March next year.

Latest statistics also show the police workforce is now more diverse, with 10.7 per cent of new recruits identifying as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.

Mr Moore said: “Recruiting more police officers and providing them with the resources they need to cut crime was a key pledge at the last general election.

“I am proud to see us delivering on that.

“I have raised the issue of crime in Keighley and Ilkley with the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary in the House of Commons.

“Repeatedly they have outlined our commitment to delivering an extra 20,000 officers and here we are seeing the benefits of an additional 308 officers in West Yorkshire.

“The Government is also enshrining a new police covenant into law.”