THE police force working across Hampshire has recruited 16 new officers despite the social distancing challenges they face as a result of Covid-19.

It comes ahead of a three-year plan for Hampshire Constabulary to take on 156 officers, as part of the 20,000 officers the government has pledged they will take on.

While the region’s force is currently filled with around 2,700 officers, they hope to reach 3,500 officers in the next three years to keep Hampshire residents safe.

Chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, Alex Charge, said: “It’s really positive that despite the challenges that we face from policing during the Covid-19 crisis that we continue to recruit and train new officers who will step up to the challenge.

“It’s also really important that Hampshire Police deliver the uplift to policing numbers so that we can deliver service that officers want to give the public.

“Whilst everyone is trying to do social distancing, officers still have to provide policing by going into people’s houses and sometimes arresting them - and you can’t do that when you are two metres away.”

Officers are facing problems with providing policing services while maintaining social distancing and trying to protect themselves from Covid-19.

He added: “Issues with Covid-19 are mainly due to social distancing and protecting themselves from the virus whilst providing policing services. They have included people weaponising coronavirus by spitting at officers."

Alex is also calling for jail time for anyone spitting at officers or emergency services workers, particularly in the current climate.

It comes after PC Stan Howe was attending a domestic concern for welfare call in Farnborough on April 1 when Jason Porter – who was self-isolating at the time because of Covid-19 - spat at the officer and claimed he was infected with the virus.

PC Howe did not contract coronavirus, but was forced to self-isolate for two weeks.