Northern Ireland

Almost 7,000 people apply to join the PSNI following new recruitment drive

The new recruitment drive was the first one to be publicly supported by Sinn Féin. Picture by Pacemaker
The new recruitment drive was the first one to be publicly supported by Sinn Féin. Picture by Pacemaker The new recruitment drive was the first one to be publicly supported by Sinn Féin. Picture by Pacemaker

ALMOST 7,000 people have applied to join the PSNI following the launch of a new recruitment drive three weeks ago.

Figures show that around a third of applicants are from the Catholic community - up by more than 200 compared with the last recruitment campaign in 2018.

The increase in the number of Catholic applicants comes after the new recruitment drive, which was launched at the start of February, was the first one to be publicly supported by Sinn Féin.

A number of death threats were issued by dissident republicans following the party's decision to attend the event.

Other figures reveal that the number of female applicants has increased by three per cent, while more Protestants have applied - up by 450 compared with the previous recruitment drive.

Six hundred new trainees will be recruited.

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said he was "pleased" the new campaign had attracted 6,961 applications.

However, Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said the figures show the decision to abandon the controversial 50-50 recruitment policy "was wrong".

Mr Kelly, who sits on the Policing Board, wrote on Twitter: "31 per cent of applicants are from a Catholic background and 41 per cent are women. An accountable police service needs to be representative of the whole community it serves and representative in all grades and ranks also.

"The decision to abandon 50/50 recruitment was both political and wrong."