More firearms officers for Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police has announced it will recruit and train more armed officers in response to the national firearms uplift.

Last year Prime Minister Theresa May, then in her role as Home Secretary, asked police forces to increase the number of firearms officers by up to 50 per cent so they can respond “quickly and forcefully” to a Paris-style terror attack.

Mrs May wrote to chief constables and police and crime commissioners in the wake of the attacks which killed 130 people, asking them to upgrade their firearms capabilities.

Mrs May said money from the Treasury would be used for a “major uplift in firearms capability and capacity so we can respond quickly and forcefully to firearms attacks” - as reported at the time by the likes of the Telegraph.

Now Thames Valley Police Chief Superintendent, Scott Chilton, head of the Joint Operations Unit, has pledged to increase his armed operations to “keep our communities safe.”

“Last year, the Prime Minister announced that the UK’s national arms capability would increase.

“Along with other Forces around the country Thames Valley Police will be actively recruiting and training additional firearms officers over the next two years to further enhance our ability to keep our communities safe from harm.

“The Police and Crime Commissioner is fully supportive of the additional firearms uplift.”