MP claims Humberside Police recruitment scheme is 'spin'

The force will be recruiting the 300 new officers by 2019

A Labour MP has accused Humberside's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) of "spin" over the recruitment of 300 new police officers.

Great Grimsby MP Melanie Onn described the recruitment drive as "too little too late".

Humberside Police is replacing officers who are retiring from the force.

PCC Matthew Grove criticised the MP for politicising the issue and said Labour planned to cut police budgets further than the Conservative government.

Assistant Chief Constable Lee Freeman said it was the first time the force had been able to recruit externally in eight years.

The force previously cut 700 jobs, including 200 officers, as part of its plan to save £31m by 2019.

Mr Freeman said they were able to hire new officers because police funding was protected in the last budget.

"We've reached a stage through the protection of the policing budget that was announced only a few months ago that we can now sustain the current levels that we have," he said.

Mr Freeman described the news as "an enormous event for us as an organisation."

He also said the recruitment drive would help increase diversity.

'Deserve better'

"Our communities are changing enormously within the Humberside area so it's an opportunity to make sure our workforce reflects that."

The recruitment drive starts next month and will run until 2019.

Ms Onn accused the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Grove of "spin".

"Local people deserve better than a PCC who cuts hundreds of officers, then tries to dress up the fact he'll now be keeping the total number of officers the same as a recruitment drive," she said.

"For all the spin, today's announcement means Humberside will be getting no extra police officers in the next three years."

In a statement Matthew Grove said: "She should also remember Labour's position on police funding just six months ago when the Shadow Home Secretary was saying policing budgets could be cut by 10% under Labour."