NEW figures reveal that the Hampshire Constabulary workforce has been slashed by almost a quarter.

There are around 1,400 fewer police and police staff in Hampshire today than in 2010, according to data from the Home Office,

New research by UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, shows a 22 per cent cut in the workforce over the past decade.

The union, which represents police staff across the country, says there are now 15 per cent fewer police staff, 38 per cent fewer police community support officers (PCSOs) and 25 per cent fewer police officers compared to the levels a decade ago.

Police staff include 999 call-takers, crime scene examiners, fingerprint experts, PCSOs, crime scene analysts, cyber-crime specialists, trainers and detention officers.

Hampshire police staff - excluding PCSOs - stood at 2,271 in March 2010 and just1,926 in September, 2020.

Despite a government pledge to recruit 20,000 police officers, the union says there is no commitment to rebuild the police staff workforce, who it says are vital.

UNISON South East regional organiser James Smith said: “UNISON has been campaigning for many years to reverse the damaging government cuts to policing over the past decade.

“In Hampshire these cuts have been profound and have severely hampered the ability of the force to combat serious and violent crime.

“Adding new police officers alone is not the answer; officers are just one part of the policing team. Recruiting and training new police staff is also essential to fight crime and keep communities safe.

“After a decade of cuts, UNISON is calling for the rebuilding of the entire police workforce, not just part of it.”

UNISON reports that the national police workforce is made up of 60 per cent police officers and 40 per cent police staff, which includes PCSOs.