Police force increases number of female officers

While the Government admits more is required to make forces representative, campaigners say a rise in female officers will help lead to public confidence in policing.

Home Office data shows Cleveland Police took on 160 new officers in 2020-21, including 68 who were women (43%).

Separate Home Office figures show 28% of officers in Cleveland were women in March last year – up from 26% in four years.

Nationally that proportion rose to 32% last year from 30% in 2016.

The Home Office spokesperson said: "It is excellent that more women are deciding to go into this inspiring career, and that more women are also represented at senior roles in police forces.

“We are aware, however, there is more work to be done which is why the Government continues to work closely with police forces to ensure their workforces are representative, in terms of gender, ethnicity and socio-economic backgrounds.”

Farah Nazeer, Women’s Aid chief executive, said: "Women make up half the population and it is good to see the police working towards this level of representation.

"The power of the police depends on public approval. If forces are not representative, public approval will lessen."

Cleveland’s new recruits were hired as part of a Government commitment to add 20,000 officers nationally by 2023.

The force has added an extra 185 officers through the programme, which started in October 2019.

It now has 1,431 officers and has been set the target of recruiting an additional to by March next year.