National statistics

Police workforce, England and Wales: 30 September 2023

Published 24 January 2024

Applies to England and Wales

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2023/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2023

Frequency of release: Biannual

Forthcoming releases: Home Office statistics release calendar

Home Office responsible statistician: Rosanna Currenti

Press enquiries

Public enquiries: Policingstatistics@homeoffice.gov.uk

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Introduction

This release is a mid-year update of the Police workforce, England and Wales publication series, containing information on police workers (covering both officers and staff) in post on 30 September 2023.

Key findings

  • as at 30 September 2023, the total police workforce size (including police officers, police staff, designated officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)) in England and Wales was 234,438 full-time equivalent (FTE), an increase of 3.0% on the previous year (227,514 FTE as at 30 September 2022)

This includes:

  • 147,098 FTE police officers (up 3.5% on 142,146 last year)
  • 79,688 FTE police staff and designated officers (up 3.3% on 77,105 last year)
  • 7,651 FTE PCSOs (down 7.4% on 8,263 last year)
  • the number of FTE police officers in England and Wales peaked at 147,430 at 31 March 2023; this was the highest number of officers on record (since comparable records began in the year ending 31 March 2003); the latest figure, as at 30 September 2023 (147,098 FTE), is 331 officers fewer than the peak in March 2023
  • on a headcount basis, the number of police officers in England and Wales peaked at 149,566 on 31 March 2023; this was the highest number of officers on record; the latest figure, as at 30 September 2023 (149,164), is 402 officers fewer than the peak in March 2023
  • the headcount target for the additional 20,000 police officers was 148,433 (against an adjusted baseline of 128,433); the number of police officers as at 30 September 2023, at 149,164, is above the target headcount and maintains the additional 20,000 police officers recruited

1. Introduction

1.1 Introduction

This release is a mid-year update of the Police workforce, England and Wales publication series. It contains statistics on the numbers of police officers, police staff and designated officers[footnote 1], Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), special constables and police support volunteers (PSVs) in post on 30 September 2023. The statistics cover the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales. Though data for the British Transport Police (BTP) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) is largely excluded from analysis within this report, their data can be found in the accompanying data tables.

Unless otherwise stated, total workforce figures quoted in the bulletin include those on career breaks or other forms of long-term absence, as well as those seconded into police forces from other forces or central services (for example, the Home Office, the National Crime Agency). It excludes those seconded out from forces to central services. The headline workforce figures in this release are all presented on a FTE basis unless indicated otherwise. The accompanying data tables provide the same information on a headcount basis.

The user guide to police workforce statistics contains further information, including a glossary, conventions used, and other background information. It contains further information on the quality and limitations of the various datasets, and the ways in which the Home Office engages with users of the statistics.

1.2 Accredited Official Statistics status

The data, formerly known as ‘National Statistics’, is ‘Accredited Official Statistics’. National Statistics is the legal term set out in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 for ‘Accredited Official Statistics’ that have been judged by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR)[footnote 2], to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics (“the Code”). This means these statistics meet the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value as set out in “the Code”. Further information about accredited official statistics can be found on the OSR’s website.

1.3 Accountability statement

Our statistical practice is regulated by the OSR which sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly via policingstatistics@homeoffice.gov.uk with any comments about how we meet these standards. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.

1.4 Police officer uplift statistical series

On 5 September 2019 the Prime Minister announced the Government commitment to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers (headcount) in England and Wales by 31 March 2023. Throughout the recruitment campaign a quarterly statistical bulletin on ‘Police officer uplift’ was published, which included progress on the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers (headcount) in England and Wales by 31 March 2023.

The statistics in this release show long-term trends and comparisons with previous years. It should be noted that percentage changes in the number of police officers cited in this bulletin may differ from those in the ‘Police officer uplift’ release. This is because, firstly, the headline measures in this bulletin are based on FTE rather than headcount. Secondly, it is because percentage changes cited in this bulletin are based on all officers employed by forces at a given point in time whereas those in the ‘Police officer uplift’ series use an adjusted baseline to measure the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers.

The ‘Police officer uplift’ statistical bulletin was retired following the release of final data in July 2023, covering recruitment up to 31 March 2023. Reporting on the size and composition of the police workforce will continue on a biannual basis in this statistical series. The headline workforce figures in this release are presented on an FTE basis (in chapter 2). Chapter 3 includes information on the latest police officer headcount figures.

2. Police workforce, as at 30 September 2023

2.1 Police workforce

There were 234,438 full-time equivalent (FTE) paid police workers (including police officers, police staff, designated officers and PCSOs) employed by the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales on 30 September 2023, an increase of 6,924 (3.0%) compared with 12 months earlier (227,514 FTE as at 30 September 2022), and up 606 (0.3%) compared with 6 months earlier (233,832 FTE as at 31 March 2023). The majority of the increase as at 30 September 2023 compared with 12 months earlier occurred during September 2022 to March 2023 which coincides with the Government commitment to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers (headcount) in England and Wales, over a 3-year programme, by 31 March 2023. The size of the workforce has been increasing over the last 6 years, from 198,378 FTE as at 30 September 2017, to 234,438 FTE as at 30 September 2023.

Over the past 12 months, there were increases in both the number of FTE police officers (up 3.5% since 30 September 2022) and FTE police staff and designated officers (up 3.3% over the same period). Meanwhile, compared to a year earlier, decreases were seen in both the number of FTE PCSOs (down 7.4% since 30 September 2022) and special constables (down 19.3% on a headcount basis over the same period). There was also an 8.9% fall in the number of PSVs[footnote 3] (on a headcount basis) compared to 30 September 2022.

Officers, as at 30 September 2023, account for 63% of the paid police workforce, a similar proportion to the previous year (at 62% on 30 September 2022).

Table 2.1: Police workforce (FTE) as at 30 September 2022, 31 March 2023, and 30 September 2023, England and Wales

As at 30 Sept 2022 As at 31 Mar 2023 As at 30 Sept 2023 Change in 12 months Sept 2022 to Sept 2023 (number) Change in 12 months Sept 2022 to Sept 2023 (%) Change in 6 months Mar 2023 to Sept 2023 (number) Change in 6 months Mar 2023 to Sept 2023 (%)
Police officers 142,146 147,430 147,098 4,952 3.5% -331 -0.2%
Police staff and designated officers 77,105 78,596 79,688 2,583 3.3% 1,092 1.4%
PCSOs 8,263 7,806 7,651 -611 -7.4% -155 -2.0%
Total workforce 227,514 233,832 234,438 6,924 3.0% 606 0.3%
Special constables (headcount) 7,840 6,841 6,330 -1,510 -19.3% -511 -7.5%
PSVs (headcount) 8,077 7,322 7,358 -719 -8.9% 36 0.5%

Source: Home Office, ‘Police workforce, England and Wales, 30 September 2023: data tables’

Notes:

  1. Excludes BTP and secondments to central services.
  2. Designated officers and police staff have been combined as some forces are unable to provide data on designated officers separately.
  3. Special constables and PSVs do not have contracted working hours so their numbers are provided on a headcount basis rather than FTE.

2.2 Police officers

As at 30 September 2023, there were 147,098 FTE police officers in the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales. This is an increase of 3.5% (4,952 FTE officers) from the 142,146 FTE police officers on 30 September 2022. The increase in police officer numbers compared to 12 months earlier reflects the Government commitment to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers (headcount) in England and Wales, over a 3-year programme, by 31 March 2023 through the ‘Police officer uplift’ (see chapter 3).

The number of FTE police officers peaked at 147,430 at 31 March 2023. This was the highest number of officers on record (since comparable records began in the year ending 31 March 2003). The latest data, at 30 September 2023, shows a decrease from the peak, down to 147,098 FTE (a decrease of 331 officers or 0.2% since March 2023).

In addition to officers working in the 43 territorial police forces, the BTP employed 3,130 FTE police officers (up from 2,986 FTE on 30 September 2022), and the NCA employed 5,556 FTE officers (up from 5,257 on 30 September 2022). It should be noted that NCA officers are defined on a different basis than the territorial forces and the BTP, since they include both those warranted with the powers of a police constable or other powers, as well as non-warranted officers (civilians involved in the investigation of serious and organised crime). There were also a further 390 FTE police officers seconded out to central services[footnote 4], as at 30 September 2023.

Figure 2.1 shows the long-term trend in FTE police officer numbers in the 43 territorial police forces.

Figure 2.1: Number of full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers, as at 30 September 2006 to 2023, England and Wales

Source: Home Office, ‘Police workforce, England and Wales, 30 September 2023: data tables’; table 4

Notes:

  1. Excludes BTP and secondments to central services.

The chart shows that police officer numbers reached a peak in September 2009, at 144,353 FTE officers. Between March 2010 and September 2017, the number of officers in England and Wales declined and officer numbers reached a low-point in September 2017 (at 121,929 FTE officers). Between March 2018 and September 2018 officer numbers were stable. Since then, the downward trend has reversed. From September 2018 there have been increases in FTE officer numbers at every 6-month mark up to March 2023, when there was 147,430 FTE officers; representing the highest number of FTE police officers (since comparable records began in the year ending 31 March 2003). Subsequently, there has been a decrease of 0.2% (331 officers) to 147,098 FTE police officers, as at 30 September 2023.

Figure 2.2 shows the change in the number of police officers, as at 30 March 2007 to 30 September 2023, compared with the previous 6 months. The chart shows that there have been consistent increases at each 6-month mark in recent years (except for 30 Sept 2023), with many of these coinciding with the Police officer uplift campaign.

Figure 2.2: Change in the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers, as at 31 March 2007 to 30 September 2023, compared with the previous 6 months, England and Wales

Source: Home Office, ‘Police workforce, England and Wales, 30 September 2023: data tables’; table 4

Notes:

  1. Excludes BTP and secondments to central services.

2.3 Other worker types

Figure 2.3 shows the long-term trend in FTE police officers, police staff and designated officers, and PCSOs in the 43 territorial police forces.

Figure 2.3: Number of full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers, staff and designated officers, and PCSOs, as at 30 September 2006 to 2023, England and Wales

Source: Home Office, ‘Police workforce, England and Wales, 30 September 2023: data tables’; table 4

Notes:

  1. Excludes BTP.
  2. Designated officers and police staff have been combined as some forces are unable to provide data on designated officers separately.
  3. ‘Police workforce’ includes officers, police staff, designated officers and PCSOs.

The chart shows, in general that staff and designated officer numbers have followed a similar trend to police officer numbers over the past decade, with falls between 2009 and the low-point in September 2016 (at 64,785 FTE staff and designated officers), before increasing in each year since. Between September 2022 and September 2023, the number of police staff and designated officers increased by 2,583 (3.3%) from 77,105 to 79,688 FTE.

The chart shows, PCSOs peaked at 16,918 FTE in March 2010 and have been falling since. In the latest year, PCSO numbers have fallen by 611 (7.4%) from 8,263 FTE in September 2022 to 7,651 FTE in September 2023.

Further data, including police officer and staff numbers on a headcount basis can be found in the data tables published alongside these statistics.

3. Police officer uplift

3.1 Introduction

The Government made a manifesto commitment to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers (headcount) in England and Wales by 31 March 2023. Throughout the recruitment campaign a quarterly statistical bulletin on ‘Police officer uplift’ was published which included progress on the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers (headcount) in England and Wales by 31 March 2023. The ‘Police officer uplift’ statistical bulletin was retired following the release of final data in July 2023, covering recruitment up to 31 March 2023. Reporting on the size and composition of the police workforce will continue on a biannual basis in this statistical series.

The headline workforce figures in this release are presented on an FTE basis (in chapter 2). This chapter includes information on the latest police officer headcount figures. The next edition of the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical series, due for release in July 2024, covering the position of the police workforce as at 31 March 2024, will include a one-year on comparison on police officer headcount (and in particular, whether the 20,000 additional police officers has been maintained). Headcount data continues to be available in data tables accompanying the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical series.

3.2 Police officer headcount

The final ‘Police officer uplift’ statistical release reported that there were 149,566 police officers (headcount) as at 31 March 2023 in the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales; the highest number of police officers (headcount) on record (since comparable data began in the year ending 31 March 2003).

The latest data, as at 30 September 2023, shows there are 149,164 officers (headcount) in the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales. This is an increase of 3.3% (4,818 officers) from the 144,346 police officers (headcount) compared to 12 months ago on 30 September 2022. Compared to 6 months ago, on 31 March 2023, when there were 149,566 police officers (headcount), there has been a decrease of 0.3% (402 officers).

Figure 3.1 shows the long-term trend in police officer numbers (headcount) in the 43 territorial police forces.

Figure 3.1: Number of police officers (headcount), as at 31 March 2007 to 30 September 2023, England and Wales

Source: Data for 31 March 2007 to 31 March 2019 from Home Office, ‘Police workforce, England and Wales: workforce open data tables’ and data for 30 September 2019 onwards from Home Office, ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’; table 5 of the data tables accompanying each ’30 September’ release.

Notes:

  1. Excludes BTP and secondments to central services.

The chart shows there are fewer officers (headcount), as at 30 September 2023 (at 149,164), than the highest number of officers on record, as at 31 March 2023 (at 149,566 officers), although there are more officers than the previous peak prior to the Police Uplift Programme (at 146,030 officers as at March 2010). The headcount target for the additional 20,000 police officers was 148,433 (against an adjusted baseline of 128,433). The number of police officers as at 30 September 2023 (149,164), is above the target headcount and maintains the additional 20,000 police officers recruited.

3.3 Headcount versus full-time equivalent

The headline workforce figures in this release are presented on a FTE basis (in chapter 2) and headcount information is available in this chapter and the accompanying data tables. The Police Uplift Programme was measured in headcount terms as it was the most appropriate way to measure and track recruitment processes which relate to individuals (for example, applications, vetting, assessment centres). There is a relatively small difference between the headcount and FTE figures. As at 30 September 2023, the police officer headcount in England and Wales was 149,164 and the FTE was 147,098 – a 1.4% difference.

  1. Designated officers are police staff (who are not police officers) employed to exercise specific powers that would otherwise only be available to police officers. ↩

  2. OSR are the regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority. ↩

  3. Individuals who by choice put their time, experience, knowledge and skills at the disposal of the force without expectation of compensation or financial rewards, except for the payment of pre-determined out of pocket expenses. ↩

  4. Secondments to central services are secondments to central government, for example, the Home Office, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), or the National Crime Agency (NCA). ↩

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