Improvements to make policing more visible and accessible to communities

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed measures to make West Mercia Police more visible and accessible to communities, with a 34% increase in officers during times of peak demand.

Following extensive research into three years of crime, incident and deployment data, West Mercia Police are making practical changes such as adapting shift patterns to ensure an increased number of officers are on duty late at night, and at other times when demand is highest, to provide increased visibility, reassurance and protection for the public.

Other changes, include a greater focus on prevention, with Safer Neighbourhood Teams working in communities to resolve problems early before they escalate, and increased partnership working. A further 25 officers are being integrated alongside the existing patrol teams, to improve roads policing, prevent offending and keep the public safe, across West Mercia’s large and complex roads network.

These specially trained officers will be providing reassurance to those involved in incidents on motorways and other major roads, in cars that are fully kitted and equipped with technology to catch offenders, and the resources to manage traffic and keep the public safe.

The current numbers of Police Constables and Police Community Support Officers are protected in the new model which went live yesterday (8th April).

John Campion said “Our communities deserve the right response from the police at the time when they need it most, so the matching of resources to demand is crucial.

I made a commitment to protecting frontline police officers and PCSOs, and the new model delivers this. I also promised to equip our officers with the tools to keep people safe, and by equipping them with technology and specialist training, I am delivering on this promise.

Our communities deserve a modern, agile and sustainable police force that delivers for their needs. I am confident that these changes, coupled with new technologies and the significant improvements we have already made will build communities where people are safer, and feel safer.”

Issued: Monday 9th April 2018