PCC welcomes new laws to strengthen public safety and put victims first

PCC John Campion welcomes two major laws to strengthen public safety that have received Royal Assent.

The Crime and Policing Act introduces wide‑ranging measures designed to strengthen policing. For West Mercia Police, this includes enhanced powers to tackle some of the public’s priorities including – shoplifting, knife crime and violence against women and girls.

Alongside this, the Victims and Courts Bill will improve the experience for victims and witnesses going through the criminal justice system. The PCC has continued to campaign and support on behalf of the public whether that’s the expectation on offenders to attend sentencing hearings or clearer communication, and enhanced support to victims through the Victims’ Code.

PCC John Campion said: “Two central pillars of my Safer Communities Plan are ‘Cutting crime’ and ‘Supporting victims and witnesses’.

“I have heard loud and clear from the public that they want the law to reflect the modern-day challenges facing policing and the criminal justice system. That’s why on a local level I have continued to work to deliver the change they rightly call for. But we are often limited by national legislation and resource pressures. That’s why these two laws are a welcome step forward, but it cannot end there.

“The whole system from policing to the courts, needs to be prioritised when it comes to how resources are allocated. It’s vital the Government not only presses forward with strengthening the law, but it must also look at how it funds the services it expects to deliver them.”