The government’s successful drive to protect the public by recruiting 20,000 additional police officers enters a new phase today (Monday 10 January) with the launch of a new advertising campaign.

More than 11,000 people have already joined the police as part of the recruitment drive, helping to cut crime by 14% (excluding fraud and computer misuse), remove 16,000 knives and dangerous weapons from the streets and tackle the scourge of drugs with the closure of over 1,500 county lines.

Two new adverts – featuring 2 serving police officers from different backgrounds already protecting their communities – will air on TV and in cinemas and, for the first time, on YouTube and Reddit to target a younger and more engaged audience.

Chief Inspector Matthew Burbeck from Kent Police was part of the team that caught a gang importing millions of pounds of drugs, while Police Constable Lola Giwa from Greater Manchester Police has helped to protect vulnerable people and make sure violent criminals are put behind bars.

With the government on track to meet its target of recruiting 20,000 more officers by 2023, the ads in which they feature form part of a wider advertising campaign across radio, social media, online, podcasts and digital display banners.

The 11,053 additional officers to date have enabled police forces to set up new units tackling crime and protecting vulnerable people – including supporting those who have suffered rape and sexual assault. They have also helped create the most diverse police force in history, which is more able to effectively serve communities across England and Wales.

PC Giwa was inspired to join the force after being impressed with the way the police helped her son who was being bullied at school. She said:

We were treated with respect and compassion, and the officer was persistent and effective, and I thought, ‘yes, I can do the same thing’ and give back to my community and protect the most vulnerable people in society.

We need representation from every background in the police that will help bridge the gap between police and those communities and I encourage people to join. It is actually the best job you can ever think of, and I’m not sugar coating it.

Chief Inspector Burbeck was inspired to join the force after working in military intelligence and helped secure the prosecution of a drugs gang importing millions of pounds worth of drugs. He said:

Every single day police officers change someone’s life and there are not many jobs where you can say that. You never know what is around the corner – in the same day you can go from working on a domestic violence case, to attending a violent incident, to working on a drugs bust.

You are dealing with people who are often having the worst day in their lives, so you develop people skills, as well as technical investigation skills.

The new recruits will help support the delivery of the Beating Crime Plan, which set out the government’s mission to deliver fewer victims, safer neighbourhoods, and a more secure country – with a particular focus on driving down homicide, serious violence and neighbourhood crime.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said:

Two years ago, this government made a promise to the public to put 20,000 extra police officers on our streets – and we are delivering on that pledge with an additional 11,053 police officers already recruited.

Officers like PC Giwa and Chief Inspector Burbeck are already out there making a difference – taking drugs off our streets and protecting victims of awful crimes like domestic abuse, while helping to make our communities safer.

As we continue to deliver on that promise to increase police numbers, anyone with a drive and passion to serve their community and fight crime should consider following their example and joining up as part of this new generation of brave police officers.

The additional officers will bolster the work already being done across the country, which has seen:

• a 14% fall in overall crime (excluding fraud and computer misuse) between June 2019 and June 2021
• 11,053 additional officers hired across England and Wales – 55% of the target of 20,000 extra police officers by March 2023
• over 1,500 county lines closed, over 7,400 arrests, £4.3m in drugs seized and more than 4,000 vulnerable people safeguarded, thanks to our investment in shutting down county lines since 2019
• almost 16,000 knives and other dangerous weapons removed from the streets last year thanks to police use of stop and search powers
• 300,000 at risk young people reached through Violence Reduction Units, which have been set up across the country thanks to £105.5 million in funding – this forms part of the £242 million we’ve invested since 2019 to zone in on serious violence and homicide hotspots

Minister for Crime and Policing, Kit Malthouse, said:

This government is fully focused on beating crime and I am proud that these additional officers are helping to keep our families and our communities safe.

The police workforce is changing – more women are now working as officers in England and Wales than ever before and the number of police officers from ethnic minorities is the highest on record – and we want to see police forces becoming even more representative of the communities they serve.

Becoming a police officer requires bravery – most run towards danger as the public flees – and I would encourage others to join the thousands of hard working, committed officers up and down the country who feel passionately about the job they do.

Anyone interested in applying to their local force can search Join the Police to find out more.

The consultation period on the scheme starts on Tuesday 11 January with details about the project being uploaded onto the scheme website for people to look at.

Members of the public are invited to look at the design options with opportinuties to speak to the National Highways project team about the work in a series of online events taking place later this month.

Following detailed analysis of four design options by National Highways at Walsgrave junction, one of these options has been found to deliver the required improvements at Walsgrave.

The vital upgrade work to the junction is set to cost between £75m and £125m with a final cost set to be determined later in the process following detailed design work.

National Highways Project Manager, Joe Mulqueen said:

The viable design option for the Walsgrave junction is incredibly exciting and it’s an important scheme on the A46 in Coventry.

We know that this junction is incredibly busy and once the scheme is complete, it will alleviate congestion at a well-known bottleneck on the A46.

We’re looking forward to speaking to people to find out what comments they have and to hear their feedback.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus situation, events will be held online through Microsoft Teams.

These events will take place on:

• Thursday 20 January from 6pm to 8pm
• Wednesday 26 January from 12pm to 2pm
• Saturday 29 January from 11am to 1pm

Meeting invitations will be posted on the National Highways webpage ahead of each session. Those unable to attend the online events can also speak to the project team with a special telephone call back service.

The A46 is a strategic link between the East and West Midlands and connects Coventry and Warwickshire to the motorway network.

The Government’s Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) 2020 – 2025 included a commitment to the A46 Coventry Junctions scheme, which includes upgrading both the Binley and the Walsgrave junctions.

Work is currently taking place at Binley to create a new £61m flyover set for completion in early 2022.

Current levels of congestion at Walsgrave and the impacts this has on journey time reliability, are having a serious effect on communities and businesses and would constrain future development in the area.

Once the consultation has closed on Monday 14 February 2022, responses will be analysed and a consultation report will be produced summarising the feedback received.

National Highways will then consider the feedback, incorporating the comments received where possible, whilst completing further assessment and design work.

The preferred route announcement for the scheme is set to take place in summer this year and will be taken through to the next stage of design development.

To request a call back from the team, people should call 0300 123 5000 to discuss a suitable time to receive a call back from one of the team.

To find out more about the A46 Coventry Junctions project, head online to the scheme page.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the National Highways customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the National Highways press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Today (10 January), the government has published its response to the Protect Duty public consultation, which ran from 26 February to 2 July 2021.

The Protect Duty has been championed by victims’ groups, including the Martyn’s Law campaign, which was established by Figen Murray following the tragic loss of her son, Martyn, in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

2,755 responses were received from a variety of organisations, sectors and campaigners, with the majority supporting the government’s proposals to introduce stronger measures, including a legal requirement for some public places to ensure preparedness for and protection from terrorist attacks.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

My number one priority is keeping the people of the UK safe.

Following the tragic attack at the Manchester Arena, we have worked closely with Figen Murray, victims’ groups and partners to develop proposals to improve protective security around the country. I am grateful for their tireless commitment to the duty and those who responded to the consultation; the majority of whom agreed tougher measures are needed to protect the public from harm.

We will never allow terrorists to restrict our freedoms and way of life, which is why we are committed to bringing forward legislation this year, that will strike the right balance between public safety, whilst not placing excessive burden on small businesses.

There is currently no legislative requirement for organisations or venues to consider or employ security measures at the vast majority of public places. The consultation sought views from private and public sector partners on a requirement for certain publicly accessible locations to implement security measures, without placing undue burden on smaller businesses, and what support would be required from government.

To further support the public and private sector, the Home Office is collaborating with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and Pool Reinsurance to develop a new interactive online platform, due to launch publicly this year.

The site is currently undergoing user testing ahead of its formal launch. The platform will provide a central digital location for advice, guidance, e-learning and other helpful content. It will provide support for all organisations, not just those captured by the Protect Duty.

7 in 10 respondents agreed that those responsible for publicly accessible locations should take appropriate and proportionate measures to protect the public from attacks. This included ensuring staff were trained to respond appropriately.

There was also agreement that venue capacity should determine when the duty applies. Most felt that larger organisations should be taking proportionate action to ensure people are protected. There was an understanding that small and medium sized enterprises should not face the same requirements as larger venues and that all measures should be proportionate to the size of each organisation.

Very strong views were expressed regarding the need for accountability, such as the need for clear roles and responsibilities, particularly amongst event organisers, and those at senior level within venues and organisations.

Half the respondents were in favour of an inspectorate that would identify key vulnerabilities and areas for improvement, as well as share best practice. There was also an even split of those who were supportive of the use of civil penalties to ensure compliance to the duty.

The government continues to engage with a range of stakeholders and other government departments as well as using the feedback from the consultation to further develop the legislation, which will be introduced to Parliament at the earliest opportunity.

See the government’s response to the consultation.