The Conservative Party promises to recruit 8,000 additional police officers over the next three years if they win the General Election.

These new neighbourhood officers will have increased powers to seize knives and recover stolen goods.

The programme will be partly funded by increasing visa fees and removing the student discount to the Immigration Health surcharge.

Critics argue the 20,000 officers recruited since 2019 merely replaced those lost between 2010 and 2019 due to funding cuts.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claims the new measures will drive down neighbourhood crime.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats criticize the pledge, labelling it an 'empty promise' and questioning its effectiveness and funding strategy.