The number of police officers in Hertfordshire has exceeded 2,000 for the first time since 2011.

According to a report by the Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd, 14 new police officers graduated into Hertfordshire Police in July.

And in the same month another cohort began the 16-week training course – which included the force’s 2,001st officer.

That’s the first time since 2011 that the Hertfordshire force has had more than 2,000 officers.

And it is said to reflect the Police and Crime Commissioner's commitment to frontline policing.

Earlier this year the Commissioner increased the policing element of the council tax across Hertfordshire by £2 a month for an average band D property.

And he pledged that the biggest chunk of the additional funds would be use to increase the number of police officers.

The increase to more than 2,000 police officers is said to be a reflection of that commitment.

The number was reported to a meeting of the county council’s community safety and waste management cabinet panel on Thursday (September 19).

Although Mr Lloyd did not attend, his chief executive Chris Brace said the force was continuing to recruit to meet the ‘establishment’ figure of 2034.

The so-called ‘establishment’ figure is a measure of the funding for police, expressed as the number of officers.