James has welcomed additional police funding totalling £584,600,000 for the Thames Valley which is an increase of £38,900,000 on last year – 7.1 per cent.

This funding is part of a total of £843 million to better protect the public. Additional funding will help make sure that the police effectively tackle crime and people are kept safe in the Bracknell Constituency.

This new funding is a 30.7 per cent rise in cash terms compared to 2019-20, as part of the Government’s long-term efforts to cut crime and keep our communities safe. The proposed package for 2024-25 could see a total of up to £18.4 billion pledged to support the police in cutting crime, tackling anti-social behaviour, and pursuing county lines gangs.

This announcement comes weeks after the Government’s introduction of five new pieces of legislation to keep our streets safe. These will ensure criminals are locked up for longer and victims are protected, with police and intelligence services given further powers to protect us, delivering on the promise to clamp down on crime.

The Government has already delivered on their commitment to recruit 20,000 more police officers, putting more police on our streets and cracking down on crime. Since the Conservatives came to office in 2010, their zero-tolerance approach to crime has worked, with crime down by 50 per cent, excluding fraud. Meanwhile, in areas run by Labour Police and Crime Commissioners, crime was 34 per cent higher last year than in Conservative run areas.

The Government is laser focused on taking the long-term decisions required to tackle crime in our communities, whilst continuing to support victims in the Bracknell Constituency and across the country.

Commenting, James said:

“This additional funding for our police from the Government is excellent news for Bracknell, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Sandhurst and Wokingham Without. This funding, alongside the 784 new police officers in the Thames Valley, will make our streets safer and help cut crime.

“The Conservatives are taking a tough stance on all crime and delivering the long-term decisions needed for a brighter future.”

Commenting, Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

“Our communities deserve a well-funded and equipped force, dedicated to making our country safer.

“Progress has been made, with overall crime down and 136,000 violent offences prevented since 2019, but we will continue to invest in policing.

“That is why we are putting up to £843 million more into keeping our streets safe, so that every officer and community has what they need to cut crime, protect the public and build confidence in policing.”