Gwent Police’s chief constable has suggested low pay is driving police officers to leave the force, as a recruitment drive is launched to bolster frontline policing.

Jeff Farrar said efforts to build police ranks in Gwent by 100 officers could be hamstrung by low pay pushing current and potential officers to opt for a career change.

The recruitment efforts come as Gwent Police has seen nearly 300 police officers leave the force since 2010/11, as austerity measures forced departments to cut staff levels.

He said, “I’ve never done this job for the money - it’s not about the money, but still we should be rewarding people for what they do.

“I think if the public really saw some of the things [police officers] do face day-to-day, the financial recompense for that is not always as good as it might be.”

Mr Farrar added that police pay should be decided through negotiating boards “across the country.”

The Home Office slashed police constables’ starting salaries by £4,000 to £19,000 in 2013. Officers with experience as PCSOs start on around £22,000.

An announcement on Jan 27 said 100 extra officers would be recruited over the next three years to replace retirees and early leavers. A further 40 officers are expected to swell the ranks already bolstered by 60 internal posts made last summer.

Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston said new officers were needed to maintain frontline police presence following an austerity-driven recruitment freeze since August 2013.

The Commissioner said, “The last few years have been extremely tough financially, and the Force has seen officer numbers decline significantly to meet the demands of austerity and central government budget cuts.

“I welcome this new recruitment drive which will ensure we remain operationally resilient so that we can meet the demands of modern day policing and keep the public safe.”