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West Midlands Police inundated as 3,000 apply for 1,150 jobs

More than 3,000 people have applied for 1,150 jobs at West Midlands Police in its latest recruitment drive, it has been revealed.

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A third of candidates are from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds.

The force is recruiting 800 officers, 150 police community support officers (PCSOs) and 200 specialist staff over the next three years.

The Labour Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson and Chief Constable Dave Thompson are keen to see the force's staff and officers reflect the ethnic make-up of the region.

Around nine per cent of the force's officers are from black or ethnic minority backgrounds, known as BAME, compared to 30 per cent of the West Midlands' population.

Mr Thompson said: "We have closed the next phase of police officer recruitment and we have had a lot of interest with more than 3,000 applicants which is fantastic.

"Over 33 per cent of them are from BAME backgrounds while 72 per cent are male and just over 27 per cent are female. We will now start the journey.

"We have done a lot of work to increase the appeal to a broader range of candidates and there has been a significant uplift of BAME candidates than in the previous recruitment waves which is encouraging."

The force was criticised when it was revealed just 13 per cent of new recruits were from minority background.

Also just just one out of 253 new recruits between 2013 and 2015 was black, it was previously revealed.

It led to Mr Jamieson saying the force needed to 'up its game'.

Mr Jamieson said: "This recruitment of more than 1,000 officers and staff shows that we have the right priorities for the force.

"This new phase of recruitment will also help to make the force look more like the people it serves."

Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Ashley Bertie added: "It is very welcome to hear over 33 per cent of applicants are from BAME backgrounds. That is a significant uplift. It is the Commissioner's interest that the force represents the community."

The starting salary for new officers will be £22,896, with a minimum of 22 days annual leave.

Home Office figures show that from September 2009 up until September 2015 the force's workforce has reduced from 8,694 to 7,043 – a cut of 1,651 staff.

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