Rishi Sunak announces plans to recruit 8,000 more police officers with visa hike

Rishi Sunak has said he plans to recruit 8,000 new police officers with funds from visa price rises.

In a bid to knuckle down on neighbourhood crime, the prime minister said "more bobbies on the beat" will "drive down" neighbourhood crimes including burglary, drug dealing, car thefts, and shoplifting. It comes following confirmation that all visa fees for foreign visitors, workers, and students in the UK will be increased by 25 per cent.

Tourists will see a rise from £115 to £144 while workers will see visa costs go from £1,420 to £1,775. The Tories plan to also fund the £818 million policing plan with an increase in NHS costs for foreign students, the Express reports.

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Students will see their discounts for scrapped, resulting in the Immigration Health Surcharge rising from £776 to £1,035. Mr Sunak said: "Our new 20,000 new police officers since 2019 have made a huge difference, with neighbourhood crime down 48 per cent as a result.

"We will now go further by hiring 8,000 more police officers, each one dedicated to their local community. People deserve to feel safe in their neighbourhood.

"More bobbies on the beat and increased powers will give police forces the tools they need to drive down neighbourhood crime even further.

“Labour has no plan and no idea how to fund more police officers. Without a plan crime will only go up, as we’ve seen in areas with a Labour Police and Crime Commissioner. Our clear plan will create a more secure future for neighbourhoods up and down the country.”

The Tories added that officers will "be embedded in their local communities using their presence on the streets to build