Fall in number of Gloucestershire Police officers despite PCC's pledge of extra 300 recruits
2.4% of the workforce left between January and December last year
It's been revealed 2.4% of Gloucestershire Police officers left the force last year.
30 officers left between January and December 2021 according to data from the Home Office.
PCC Chris Nelson pledged an extra 300 "bobbies on the beat" after being elected last May - with 154 of those officers coming from the Government's Uplift Programme.
But the data shows 23 officers have left the force since Mr Nelson was elected in May.
Broken promises
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Liberal Democrat Group Leader says PCC Nelson "must deliver on his promise" to putting extra officers on the streets.
He said: "There are less officers on the beat on our streets in Gloucestershire at a time when people are still worried about crime.
"When that pledge was made I think people liked it but it isn't materialising and sadly it's going in the wrong direction.
“From my figures he's got to recruit another 68 officers by the end of March this year. I'd be delighted if he does but it looks unrealistic at this moment in time I'm afraid."
Constabulary is on course to deliver on pledge
PCC Chris Nelson has reassured the public he will deliver on his pledge.
"Of course there is always some fluctuation due to those reaching retirement, but the Constabulary is well on course to achieve the Government’s contribution of 153 additional police officers by the target date of 31st March 2023", says Mr Nelson.
"In year one of the national Uplift Programme, 2020/21, we increased the number of officers by 46; year 2 is on target to recruit a further 46 officers and year 3 will see the Constabulary increase by 61 police officers.
“Thanks to the investment that the Government and I are making into policing in Gloucestershire, our training centre is bursting at the seams with new officers, PCSOs and staff who will very shortly be on the streets of our County, keeping communities safe. "