EIGHT new police officers will be deployed to the New Forest as Hampshire Constabulary bolsters its numbers.

The allocation of the 156 new police officers has been confirmed as part of the government’s "uplift" programme.

Hampshire Constabulary says as of June 26, this year it completed the last of its recruitment activity for the first year of this programme. It received 3,000 applications.

The 156 new recruits will be deployed across the force area and the allocation was "based on thorough analysis of crime figures and the demand" in its districts.

Hampshire Constabulary says it operates a "borderless" policy, which "ensures officers can be deployed away from their assigned location if it is deemed operationally necessary".

Each of the areas is supported by other teams in the police force, including response officers, investigations teams and other specialist departments.

Forty three of the new officers will be deployed across local crime investigation departments, contact management team, and specialist criminal investigation teams such as the child abuse investigation team or high harm teams.

Assistant Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said: “We are constantly striving to serve and support all in our communities the best we can each day.

“Part of this is ensuring that, as a force, we truly reflect those we are serving.

“It is very pleasing to see that within the 3,000 applications received there 13 per cent who are from diverse backgrounds.

“I am also very happy that we have been able to push forward with our recruitment programme throughout the pandemic, and that we are now able to announce how we will be deploying the 156 officers who will be hired through the government uplift.

“It has been great to see many high quality candidates applying to join the force.

“Our aim is to become an employer of choice, focused on attraction, retention and progression, bringing the best and talented individuals into the Constabulary, ensuring they can all reach their true potential.”