AVON and Somerset Police will recruit 137 new officers next year.

The constabulary is increasing its frontline policing as part of the Home Office drive to recruit 20,000 officers nationally by 2022.

The Home Secretary has announced that every police force in England and Wales has been set recruitment targets as part of the first stage in the uplift which will see the government supporting forces to recruit up to 6,000 additional officers by the end of 2020-21.

The increase comes after Avon and Somerset employed 100 extra officers over the last year as part of Operation Remedy, which focuses on tackling burglary, drugs and knife crime.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “I am delighted to confirm that Avon and Somerset Constabulary will be recruiting an additional 137 officers next year as part of the government’s aim to strengthen police forces across the country.

“Local people have been very clear - they want to see more police officers on their streets tackling the issues that matter most to the community.

“We are in a great position in that we have been busy this year recruiting officers for Op Remedy and we recently launched the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship with UWE.

“The chief and I are looking forward to getting the 137 new officers on board, enrolled onto the apprenticeship and out on the ground keeping local people safe.”