Work progressing to address West Mercia Police performance 

PCC John Campion has shone a spotlight on West Mercia Police's performance in a meeting with the Chief Constable. 

In the PCC's latest Assurance & Accountability meeting, West Mercia Police's overall performance was discussed to monitor the work being done to tackle crime and bring offenders to justice. 

Tackling crime and supporting victims and witnesses is a key priority for the PCC as detailed in his Safer Communities Plan, and according to the latest performance data progress is being made in this area with victim satisfaction rates largely positive. 

Overall, there was a 2% increase in all crime types. However, there were significant decreases in business and community burglary (26%), a 12% reduction in vehicle offences, and a 8% drop in shoplifting incidents. 

999 and 101 call-answering times are improving, and police response times to those calls have remained stable. 

Half of priority (grade 2) calls were attended within 39 minutes, well within the two-hour target. With emergency (grade 1) incidents, the median attendance time was just under 13 minutes. However, with only 74% of those emergency incidents being attended within the target of 20 minutes, this identifies further improvements are needed.   

West Mercia Police has delivered a number of improvements, but there's more to do. The force has therefore set out a 'road map' for further improving the service the public receives when they call 101 or 999. 

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “While progress is being made, it’s important communities across West Mercia feel the benefits of record police officer numbers and changes to working practices in order to drive improvements. 

“I will continue to work with and challenge the Chief Constable to ensure communities not only feel safe but are safe too.”