THE Isle of Wight is to get nine new police officers.

The allocation of the 156 new police officers who will join Hampshire Constabulary as part of the government’s announced uplift programme has been confirmed.

It is based on analysis of crime figures and the demand in each of our districts — and the Island will get nine.

A spokesperson said: "We are determined that the Constabulary truly reflects the communities we serve, and throughout the application process we have been seeking quality candidates as well as greater diversity.

"As a force we operate 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 also supported by a number of other teams within the force, including our response officers, investigations teams and our various specialist departments.

Areas getting fewer officers are Hart (four), Rushmoor (five), Eastleigh (seven), Fareham (four), Gosport (five), Havant (eight), New Forest (eight), East Hants (four), Test Valley (five) and Winchester (five).

Basingstoke will also get nine officers, while Portsmouth will get 18 and Southampton 20.

One officer is deployed to Countrywatch and one to the Local Policing Delivery Unit.

The remaining 43 new officers will be deployed across local crime investigation departments, the 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 were 13 per cent from diverse backgrounds.

“I am also very happy we have been able to push forward with our recruitment programme throughout the pandemic."