Archive for category: Police and Crime Commissioner

This month’s edition includes the results of the latest perception survey into the confidence of West Mercia Police, the projects I am funding as part of my Road Safety Fund and my latest meeting with the Chief Constable around Child Sexual Exploitation. 

As an election is on the horizon, with the pre-election period starting on Tuesday 19 March, this will be the last newsletter in my 2021-2024 term.

It has been invaluable to meet as many of you as possible at community events and to have conversations about your views and concerns on local policing.

The newsletters from the Police and Crime Commissioner will resume in early-May following the result of the elections.

Tackling crime in West Mercia

I am encouraged to see that crime overall is reducing across West Mercia, with a 15% decrease in the number of reports between January 2022 and January 2023.

A decrease in reports has been seen across the majority of crime types, with vehicle offences, theft from a person (-28%) and anti-social behaviour (-20%) some of the biggest reductions recorded over the same time period.

A number of different factors have contributed to this, including the presence of the Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Teams I have funded.

These bespoke units have been working at the heart of communities to tackle crime.

As part of my budget for the coming year, I am also funding Town Centre Policing Teams to further increase the visibility of officers in crime hotspots to ensure crime continues to decrease across West Mercia.

Government announces additional money to boost PCC’s work to tackle anti-social behaviour

Committed to building a safer West Mercia, last month I welcomed additional Government funding to continue my focus on tackling anti-social behaviour.

The latest Government announcement, following a successful pilot in ten other force areas, will see West Mercia Police receive £1 million to increase uniformed patrolling in ASB hotspots.

I fully support this announcement by the Government as I regularly speak to communities across West Mercia who tell me about the impact anti-social behaviour is having on their feelings of safety.

I am clear, ASB is not a low-level crime, and it needs a strong police response. That’s why I remain focused on ensuring West Mercia Police has the resources it needs to drive change.

In line with the public’s priorities, I have targeted significant investment into boosting officer numbers to record levels, introduced first-of-a-kind Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Teams and this year, town centre policing teams.

I am under no illusion that this is job done, and while this progress is welcome it needs to be seen and felt by the public.

PCC focuses on public priorities in performance meeting with police Chief

As the voice of the public in policing, a key part of my role is to support and challenge the Chief Constable to ensure the police is delivering for communities across West Mercia.

I am committed to ensuring local communities have confidence in West Mercia Police, and therefore I raised inconsistencies in confidence levels across the three counties.

I scrutinised the performance of the 101 non-emergency line as part of this meeting. With 54% of calls being answered in 30 seconds, this falls 6% short of the force’s target.

While I recognise the improvements that have been made in this area with longer term plans for sustainable improvement, I have sought reassurance on the longer-term plans to deliver greater efficiencies.

While it’s reassuring that crime is falling across the three counties, it’s important that all victims receive a service they expect and deserve. It’s clear that more needs to be done, and quickly.

Tackling child-sexual exploitation in West Mercia

I held a formal Assurance and Accountability meeting with the Temporary Chief Constable on its progress to safeguard children.

The meeting was recorded and is now able to watch.

All 13 of West Mercia Police’s recommendations set out in a judge-led independent inquiry, published in 2022, into child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Telford were covered in the session.

To ensure the voices of those most impacted by CSE were at the heart of the meeting, feedback from those with lived experience helped inform my lines of enquiry.

While I am reassured significant progress has been made, there’s still more work that needs to be done.

More than 8 in 10 have confidence in West Mercia Police

Results from a survey I run every three months to gain a greater understanding of the public’s views on policing have been gathered.

More than 8 in 10 have confidence in West Mercia Police, but the force is yet to hit its 88% target.

Support and trust remains high, hitting 93% and 88% respectively, and there’s been a 4% rise (83%) in the number of people who feel they would receive a good service.

Democracy forms the foundation of our communities in West Mercia, giving us all the power to act, speak or think freely.

But these freedoms are fragile and need continuous attention. The recent protests we have seen play out across the country have seen a small but vocal minority overstepping the line of peaceful expression and instead resorting to acts of violence, intimidation and hate.

I have seen this first-hand, where my office and I have received messages from anonymous accounts filled with threats of violence, false accusations and toxicity. I know these hate messages are not unique to me. This is happening across the political spectrum and MPs are fearing for their safety, with Preet Gill MP’s recent interview on Politics Midlands highlighting the daily abuse she faces.

It’s therefore on all of us to drive discourse in a way that respects differing opinions and firmly shuts the door on non-peaceful protest.

PCC believes latest inquiry will address police behaviour

The heinous actions of Wayne Couzens in March 2021, which led to the tragic death of Sarah Everard, have forever altered the public’s trust in police forces across the country.

The Angiolini Inquiry, published last month, has outlined a number of recommendations for police forces including the need to improve the investigation of indecent exposure and the vetting process for police officers.

These recommendations further support actions taken by the Home Office, to address vetting, to ensure all police officers are held accountable for their conduct in line with public expectations.

In West Mercia, trust has remained high towards local police officers, and it is my duty to help protect that trust. However, it is right that this inquiry has shone a light on the improvements that need to be made in police forces across the country, particularly around vetting.

I am clear, I will do all in my power to build public confidence in the police by challenging and supporting West Mercia Police to ensure their officers are adequately trained, equipped and motivated to respond to reports.

PCC backs initiatives to tackle road safety concerns by £280k across West Mercia

Over a quarter of a million pounds will fund projects to make roads safer across West Mercia, as part of my Road Safety Fund.

With the original fund boosted by £30k after more than 80 applications were submitted by local communities, I will be funding a wide range of schemes across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

I speak regularly to residents and road safety is often a top priority. It’s a concern I share, and I am committed to playing my part to reduce the number of people seriously injured or killed on our roads.

This is only possible with the support of local communities, so I welcome the number of applications and the creative ideas that were submitted.

Some of the projects all communities across West Mercia will benefit from include:

• West Mercia Police’s ‘Car Safety Campaign’ to offer safety advice to parents to reduce harm to young passengers.
• A 17–24-year-old pre-licence driver education programme to make young drivers more aware of road safety.

I look forward to seeing the schemes from cameras to education programmes being rolled out in the county, helping to drive change in West Mercia.

Schools across West Mercia receive mini police officer after winning PCC poster competition

At the heart of my Safer West Mercia Plan is a focus on improving road safety in West Mercia.

Therefore, it was encouraging to see more than 700 creative posters were submitted by 24 primary schools as part of my Mini Police Officer poster competition in December.

See examples of the winning entries above.

Over the past month, my senior political team and I have been visiting communities across West Mercia.

Worcestershire

Earlier this month, I joined a meeting of the Alvechurch Parish Council in Bromsgrove to hear the communities concerns around road safety.

It was an opportunity for me to reassure the residents that active work is being done by myself and the force to ensure their safety.

Shropshire

I hosted a Community Conversation event in Ludlow this month and it was encouraging to see more than 20 residents turn up to voice their concerns around local policing to me.

I understood the communities’ concerns around rural crime and road safety but alongside the Rural and Business Officers, I was able to reassure the public that action is being taken to tackle such matters.

I also joined a meeting of Cardington Parish Council, where residents and councillors expressed their concerns around police visibility and accessibility.

I am continuing to provide West Mercia Police with the tools and resources it needs to ensure communities feel reassured they are safe.

Telford

I held a Community Conversation event in Oakengates to understand what action residents felt was needed from the police to feel safe in their local area.

Myself and the We Don’t Buy Crime Team reassured residents active work is being done to ensure their safety.

I also concluded my Roads Focus series in Brookside this month. It was once again invaluable to hear from the public.

I am committed to making West Mercia’s road safer and I will continue to take action so no person is seriously injured or killed on our roads.

Streetwatch Volunteers have now started working with SNT Wellington, they have been on the first walk on March 1 around Wellington and will be working with the neighbourhood team to assist PC’s and PCSO’s on their areas with local issues

Shropshire

2 males arrested after drugs located under car seat.

South Worcestershire

A prolific shoplifter who has been targeting shops in Evesham has been handed a Criminal Behaviour Order for two years.

North Worcestershire

A male was arrested for driving over the limit of a specified controlled drug and possession of a controlled drug.

Herefordshire

One woman was charged on Wednesday 6 March with drugs offences after she was arrested at an address in Leominster, Herefordshire.

I have secured the backing of the Police and Crime Panel to boost local policing in West Mercia, with additional resources which will make West Mercia safer.

My budget proposals for 2023/24 will see £14.3m more funding available for policing, delivering on your priorities.

Despite the significant increase in resources that is being made available to West Mercia Police, the significant demand and inflationary pressures mean that there is a budget deficit of £10.8m next year, that the Force are working on proposals to manage.

At a meeting on Friday 3 February, the Police and Crime Panel confirmed the precept will rise by 5.94%, or an extra 29p per week.

This will mean an average Band D household will pay £246.50 a year – the fourth lowest increase in council tax when compared to other PCCs since 2016.

This month’s edition includes stories on holding to account, alcohol related incidents and new officers.

Keep reading to find out more…

I would like to wish you and your family a prosperous and happy New Year. I’m sure you will join me in expressing gratitude to the police officers and other emergency workers who have worked tirelessly throughout the festive period keeping us safe.

I know communities across West Mercia value and support their local police officers. As your Police and Crime Commissioner this gives me a huge sense of pride and I look forward to working with you to ensure your police force continues to deliver on the matters that mean the most to you in 2023.

Have you got a question on public confidence you want West Mercia Police’s Chief Constable to answer? Let me know!

On Monday 30 January, I will be putting questions the public submits to the Chief Constable in a live Facebook session from 6pm.Public confidence remains a central priority for the PCC as the communities of West Mercia need to have a police service they can both trust and rely on.

Thank you to everyone who completed my recent budget consultation.

More than 500 of you have helped to shape West Mercia Police’s budget for 2023/24.

I will share the results of the consultation on my website over the coming months.

I recently took part in a BBC Hereford & Worcester interview on nitrous oxide with MP for Wyre Forest, Mark Garnier and West Mercia Police’s DCI Gerry Smith from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

The interview focused on nitrous oxide and its availability across the internet. Nos is the second most popular recreational drugs amongst young people and evidence of its use is regularly seen in public spaces.

During the interview, I talked about my commitment as Senior Responsible Officer for the local Combatting Drugs Partnership to tackle drugs and drive change in our society.

Keep a close eye on my social media channels to see when the interview will go live.

As the voice of the public in policing, I really value hearing about your views, experiences and confidence in West Mercia Police.

In the latest public perceptions survey, residents and victims had their say on the force.

I am reassured to see confidence in the police remains high with more than 80% of respondents confident they would receive a good service.

The increase in police officer numbers, I have funded and championed, is also being positively received with over half of respondents saying they are satisfied with the level of policing in their area.

The latest statistics have shown that alcohol related incidents have decreased across West Mercia by 8%. This is reassuring to see as it continues my commitment to make West Mercia a safer place to both live and work.

This month I attended the Reset launch event with Shropshire Council and other partners to talk about a new and innovative project the focuses on tackling alcohol addiction in the community. I will continue to support project and services like this to help support the communities of West Mercia and tackle alcohol related incidents.

I had the pleasure of meeting 40 new recruits beginning their policing journey with West Mercia Police.

The students are taking part in the Degree Holder Entry Programme and within a year will be patrolling on a street near you, keeping you and your family safe.

Each student brings with them a wealth of experience and knowledge and are great additions to the growing West Mercia family.

In the latest episode of my Safer West Mercia Podcast I sat down with Pete Martin from Redditch Self Defence to talk about how his workshops are helping young people turn away from knife related crime.

As your PCC I will continue to support projects of this kind to help tackle knife crime at the root and give young people a way out

Find out more about the project below.

I am committed to giving you the opportunity to have your voice heard. Over the last year I have received over 500 pieces of correspondence from you the public covering a range of topics including road safety, local policing, ASB and plenty more.

Do you have a  question or concern? You can find a range of ways to contact my office in the link below.

I am looking for two Assistant Policy Officers and a Senior Finance Officer to join my team.

If you are a motivated and passionate individual looking for a new challenge then visit the link below to find out more.

PCC welcomes funding boost to support victims of domestic abuse

£490,000 Government funding secured for crime prevention

Job vacancies

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