PCC newsletter – September 2022

This month’s edition includes stories on the new Deputy PCC, police officer numbers reaching a ten-year high and free self-defence classes helping women and girls in Telford.

Keep reading to find out more…

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. I want to pass on my deepest condolences to all members of the Royal Family during this immensely sad and difficult time.

Throughout her 70-year reign, Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II has exemplified public service. As our longest-serving monarch, she has remained a shining beacon of stability, leadership and comfort to the country. Her memory will live on, and she will continue to be an inspiration to us all.

I know communities across West Mercia will share my feelings of sadness and, through our mourning, I hope we will all take the time to remember her steadfast service to the country.

In light of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, it’s fitting to hear that the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative will be extended until the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty.

The trees I have planted in partnership with West Mercia Police will continue to flourish in the autumn sunshine.

On Wednesday 7 September, Marc Bayliss was confirmed as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner at the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel meeting.

Marc will take up his role on Monday 26 September and will support me in delivering on my commitment to build a safer West Mercia.

Deputy PCC Marc Bayliss said: “It is important that we deliver the best possible police service for all communities, and that will be my overall drive as I take up this role.”

Police officer numbers in West Mercia are set to reach their highest level in more than ten years.

I am delivering on my commitment to increase the visibility and accessibility of police officers across West Mercia with more than 400 new officers already recruited.

Another recruitment drive has begun to not only fill vacancies but add an additional 125 officers. This will bring the total number of officers to 2,456, the highest it has been since 2009 and close to the highest number of officers on record.

I am proudly supporting a community initiative to craft toys for children affected by crime.

Dozen of ‘trauma teddies’ have been knitted by the Fladbury Knit and Natter group in Pershore to provide comfort and support to children who are going through traumatic and distressing events.

The soft teddies are given to young children who meet officers from West Mercia Police.

On Thursday 8 September, the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner, Paul Middlebrough visited the group to see the teddies first hand and to thank them for their hard work and kindness.

I am driving forward with measures to make roads in West Mercia safer.

More than £900,000 is being invested into three measures to curb harm on the roads of West Mercia.

I have allocated £365,800 to increase West Mercia Police’s Road Safety team by 11.5 full-time officers. Measures to tackle inappropriate speed and driver behaviour will receive a boost of £150,000.

Following on from the success of Worcestershire’s A449 average speed camera scheme, there is £400,000 available for the rollout of average speed cameras in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Find out more about investment in roads in your local area below.

I am donating 30 bikes seized by West Mercia Police to a project which helps young people stay out of crime by taking the right path.

The CLIMB project, run by The Children’s Society, is a unique programme providing support to vulnerable young people across West Mercia.

Following the scheme’s success in 2021, I am donating a further 30 bikes. This will be another opportunity to help children put their minds into positive activities, learn life-skills and make new friendships.

Violence against women and girls is one of the biggest concerns in our society today.

As part of the Safer and Stronger Communities Project, a free self-defence course started in Telford earlier this month to help women and girls be safe and feel safe in their communities.

Working in partnership with the project lead, Telford & Wrekin Council, I have invested £500,000 into the project over the next two years. 

I had the pleasure of visiting Kidderminster Police Station last month, to see the amazing work of two of our Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs).

These brilliant volunteers take time out of their day to make sure people in custody are being looked after, they are getting the legal support they need, and the cells are safe and hygienic.

Interested in becoming an ICV? Find out more by visiting my website.

Visit the Neighbourhood Matters website to find out who is in your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Simply enter your postcode in the box below the sign up form on the homepage.

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