Greater Manchester Police is celebrating having over 8,000 police officers for the first time in 10 years.

The latest ceremony at Sedgley Park Training Centre saw 110 new PCs join the ranks, ready to begin their careers in fighting crime, keeping people safe and caring for victims.

In front of Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane and Magistrate Barry Frost, the latest cohort of officers promised to serve the King ‘with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality’.

They also committed to keeping the peace and ‘preventing all offences against people and property’.

The passing of this milestone also marks GMP exceeding the target set by the Government to recruit an additional 1,200 police officers by the end of this month.

Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said: “As the force celebrates having over 8,000 police officers for the first time in a decade, I would like to welcome all those who have joined GMP throughout the Police Uplift Programme, whether they’re new to policing, like these 110 PCs, re-joiners or transferees.

“This substantial increase in officer numbers is something the people of Greater Manchester have wanted for some time, there are now more police to fight, prevent and reduce crime, keep people safe, and care for victims.

“All of our new recruits have their own reasons for wanting to serve communities.

“They come from diverse backgrounds, and I am looking forward to seeing what impact they will have on communities across Greater Manchester."

The additional headcount has allowed the force to increase the number of officers posted to the contact centre, districts, specialist operations, serious crime, custody and people development, contributing to the prevention of crime, response to incidents, investigation of crime and delivery of outstanding service.

After a recent consultation, it was revealed there would be changes in the police force, including to the Bolton area.

The force was said to be adding more than 260 police constables to its neighbourhood teams across the region, but removing more than 300 police community support officers (PCSOs) in the process.

What is left in each of the three neighbourhood teams in Bolton will be one inspector, three police sergeants and around a dozen police constables.

There will be 20 PCSOs, one per ward.