LANCASHIRE is to get 153 new police officers in the next 12 months.

The announcement was made by Home Secretary Priti Patel as she set out recruitment targets for the first year of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's drive to recruit 6,000 additional officers nationwide by 2021.

The figure was condemned as inadequate by police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw and Labour politicians as the county force has lost 750 officers since 2010.

The extra bobbies were welcomed by Ribble Valley MPs Nigel Evans, his Pendle colleague Andrew Stephenson and deputy chief constable Terry Woods.

Mr Grunshaw said: “While I welcome the ability to put much-needed additional officers back onto our streets, after a decade of cuts this announcement does not go far enough to repair the damage. I’m disappointed.

“We requested 340 officers in this allocation to allow us to properly invest back into the policing in Lancashire however the force has been snubbed.”

Mr Woods said: “The announcement is welcome news as these 153 come on top of the officers we have already planned to recruit. Planning is already underway for how those extra officers will be allocated. This the start of providing a much needed boost to giving us the resources we need to help us keep our communities safe.”

Mr Evans said: “I’m delighted Lancashire police will be able to recruit 153 more officers next year to help keep our streets safe.”

Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern said: "Whilst any new police are always welcome, this number is still way short of the 750 officers we have lost over the past nine years. I will now seek clarification as to whether the remaining 597 officers will be put in place.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said: “This increase is sorely needed but it is just a drop in the ocean to make up for the swingeing cuts since 2010.”

Mr Stephenson said: “I welcome the additional police officers, a clear sign of the PM fulfilling his commitment.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “Johnson supported police cuts that have seen the loss of 800 officers, and he thinks that by giving 153 back we’ll be grateful.”