This month’s edition includes stories on Pin your poppy, #RoadSafetyWeek, how I’m tackling rural crime in West Mercia and more.
Keep reading to find out more…
Remembrance round-up
Thank you to everyone who created and pinned their poppy as part of my first Pin your poppy project. I was humbled to see the amazing poppies that communities across West Mercia lovingly attached to the Tommys.
On Armistice Day, all six Unknown Tommy statues decorated from head to toe in poppies stood proudly in front of Hindlip Hall for the Armistice Day service. At the service I was joined by the Chief Constable and her team as we heard the names of police officers from West Mercia who gave their lives in the two world wars and paid our respects.
Following the service, I had the pleasure of meeting Tom Wisniewski, Marta Kojscarz and Monika Irzyk from Worcestershire Polish Association who brought a special poppy representing Polish and British friendship. I pinned this poppy to a Tommy and also joined them as they laid a wreath at Hindlip’s cenotaph.
Radio interviews then took place with BBC Hereford & Worcester and Worcester News. I spoke about the importance of remembrance, the Pin your poppy project and thanked communities across West Mercia for getting involved.
On Sunday (13 November), I attended a remembrance service in Bewdley while your Deputy PCC Marc Bayliss attended a service in Worcester and your Assistant PCC Paul Middlebrough went to Hereford. We will remember them.
#RoadSafetyWeek
As part of last week’s Road Safety Week, RoadPeace’s Road Victim Roundtable took place in Worcester on Monday 14 November.
I opened the event by talking about the importance of RoadPeace and how I am committed to making roads in West Mercia safer.
The event, chaired by APCC Paul Middlebrough, was an opportunity for victims to talk about their experiences and to listen to organisations who are working hard to curb harm on roads in West Mercia.
Throughout the week, daily posts went out on @WestMerciaPCC social media channels under the hashtag #RoadSafetyWeek.
Rural crime
I fully understand the detriment that crime has on our rural communities. Crimes such as theft not only have a significant impact on businesses and farming, but make people feel more isolated.
In West Mercia, a third of communities live in rural areas, rising to 50% in Herefordshire and Shropshire. Rural crime in September 2022 accounted for 23% of all crime.
To tackle this issue, I have invested in 15 Rural and Business Officers, plus specialist wildlife officers, to work with rural communities reducing crime and offering practical preventative advice.
I have funded SmartWater kits which are used to mark property and is proven to be effective in preventing theft.
I have heard loud and clear from communities that they want their police force to be visible and accessible.
To ensure residents of the Shropshire town, Ellesmere, continue to have a local policing team based in the heart of their community, officers have moved back to the Town Hall.
This is part of my commitment to maintain police presence and ensure officers are visible and accessible.
I am working in partnership with West Mercia Police to tackle domestic abuse across West Mercia.
I understand the World Cup is a time of celebration and joy as many of you will be watching your national team compete on the biggest stage. However, this is also a time where some people in West Mercia will live in fear.
Sadly, there is a correlation between England losing a game of football and an increase in domestic violence – I say to perpetrators there is never an excuse to be violent.
The third raid in one week took place in Redditch on Friday 18 November with a professional cannabis grow seized, and a man arrested.
Officers obtained an emergency warrant and the team, led by PC Stone, swooped on the address.
Hundreds of plants and equipment were confiscated and an Albanian man, wanted by immigration officials, was arrested and taken into custody.
You can keep up to date with the work of your local policing teams by following them on Twitter.
The Branch Project
I am proudly supporting the West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre by funding a new post.
Thanks to funding I have allocated, WMRSASC has been able to hire a Technically Assisted – Child Sexual Exploitation Project worker.
I passionately support the project that offers support services to children and young people who are sadly, victims or at risk of exploitation. It is important that children are able to receive the support they need to help them cope and recover.
On Friday 4 November, I attended the Bridgnorth Pride AGM, setting out my commitment to equality, diversity and more inclusive communities.
The Safer West Mercia Plan includes a number of commitments to ensure West Mercia Police is inclusive and reflective of the communities it serves. I am also committed to tackling hate crime, where people are targeted because of who they are, and I have invested in a number of projects to provide support for victims and raise awareness.
It was great to hear the views of the group, and for those views to shape my priorities moving forward.
Are you a Kempsey resident?
Get your free SmartWater kit on Friday 25 November from 12pm to 3.30pm at Kempsey Parish Hall!
Through my We Don’t Buy Crime initiative, I have supported the scheme by contributing £3,586 towards the cost of the kits.
SmartWater is a proven way to deter criminals by making properties safer. I am delighted, thanks to close partnership work with West Mercia Police and councillors from Malvern Hills District Council, that the biggest rollout of SmartWater in West Mercia is taking place in Kempsey.
As part of my commitment to reduce crime, I will continue to support initiatives that keep our communities safe.
Safer West Mercia podcast
Have you listened to the new Safer West Mercia podcast?
In the latest edition I talk to PC Jenkins about being a student officer for West Mercia Police.
The podcast is a unique insight into the application process, police training and how PC Jenkins has found her first two weeks on the beat.
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