THE UK Home Secretary came to North Wales today (Sunday) following the announcement that tens of thousands of new officers will be recruited.

MP Priti Patel visited North Wales Police with her fellow MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Simon Hart, who is also the Secretary of State for Wales.

The pair joined the front line policing teams who were out tackling the county lines drug problem in the region, just weeks after seven people were charged following police raids in Flintshire and Merseyside.

Ms Patel’s visit also comes not long after the Home Office announced that an estimated 20,000 additional officers will be recruited over the next three years.

In a tweet by the Home Secretary, she said: “The recruitment of 20,000 police officers will strengthen front line policing across forces in England and Wales to tackle crime and violence.

“Today I visited North Wales Police with Simon Hart, Secretary of State for Wales, and joined front line teams working to roll up county lines drug gangs.”

As well as announcing their plans to recruit new police officers, the Home Office also confirmed that they will be providing North Wales Police with nearly £150,000 of funding to invest in 167 new taser devices.

About the investment, which comes as part of a UK-wide uplift that will see £6.5 million divided between 41 police forces to enable nearly 8,000 more officers being able to carry tasers, Priti Patel said:

“The rise in assaults on officers is alarming and Taser (a brand of the electrical weapon) is a vital option in dangerous situations.

“I am committed to providing forces across Wales with the powers, resources and tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe.

“We are also consulting on our Police Covenant which will recognise their service and sacrifice and enshrine their rights in law.”

Other steps that have recently been taken include expanded stop and search powers and plans to increase the maximum sentence for assaulting emergency service workers.