CHESHIRE has been boosted after the Government announced it will receive 90 more police officers.

The Home Office confirmed Cheshire Constabulary has been allocated the extra officers, who will be recruited before April 2021.

John Dwyer, Tory Cheshire police and crime commissioner (PCC) candidate, labelled it as ‘welcome news’ for the county.

He said: “I believe more should follow and, if I am elected into post as PCC next May, I will ensure that Cheshire gets its fair share of the 20,000 officers promised by Government.

“Crime causes misery to our communities and these new officers will play a vital role in keeping the public safe.

“They will help play a vital role in helping to keep our streets safe, sending out a message that crime and anti-social (behaviour) in any form will not be tolerated.”

It is the first part of the Government’s promise to increase officer numbers by 20,000 nationally over the next three years.

It is providing £750 million to support forces to recruit 6,000 additional officers by the end of 2020-21.

The Government has also pledged funding for associated costs, including training and kit.

Labour’s Cheshire PCC David Keane has commented on the announcement.

He said: “Over the last three years, I have been calling on the Government to increase police resources for people in Cheshire and I am pleased that it appears to have responded.

“Cheshire Constabulary has lost 135 officers over the last nine years and, while this uplift will not take us back to officer numbers pre-2010, it will help us start to address the adverse effects austerity has had on local policing.

“It’s also important to recognise that crime has increased and become more complex over the last decade.”