The government has hit its target of recruiting 20,000 police officers in England and Wales, figures released this morning show.

The target was a pledge made in the 2019 general election and since then 20,951 have been recruited.

That brings the total number of officers in England and Wales to 149,572, a “record high”, the government says, exceeding the previous high point in 2010 by over 3,500.

Around 20,000 officers were lost as a result of budget cuts during the period of austerity that started in 2010.

Ministers also say that there are now 53,000 female officers (35.5%) and more than 12,000 (8.3%) from an ethnic minority background – also a record high.

Rishi Sunak said: “When I stood at the steps of Downing Street six months ago, I made clear that I will do whatever it takes to build a better future for everyone in the UK, with stronger communities and safer streets.

“At the heart of that pledge is recruiting more police officers in than at any time in our history, and today we have delivered on that promise.

“Thousands of officers already out in our communities, tackling crime and keeping the public safe.”

Suella Braverman said this is a “historic moment for our country.”

“These new officers are changing the face of policing,” the home secretary said.

“They are more representative of the communities they serve and this offers a unique chance to deliver the highest standards and common sense policing expected by the public.”

But Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael MP said: “Suella Braverman’s boasts will ring hollow for communities that have seen community policing decimated under this government.

“Crime victims are waiting hours for police to turn up while the vast majority of burglaries go unsolved.

“The Conservatives have taken thousands of community support officers off the streets and bogged down local forces in unnecessary tasks. They can’t even get the basics right on crime.

“The home secretary can’t hide behind today’s statistics. She must finally commit to a return to community policing without delay. Otherwise, it’s just smoke and mirrors.”