PCC newsletter – August 2022

In this month’s edition, you will find out about my successful Safer Streets Bid, support available for victims of domestic abuse and a call to sign-up to Community Matters.

Keep reading to find out more…

A staggering £1.7 million of additional funding has been secured to tackle neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls across West Mercia.

In partnership with West Mercia Police, I submitted four bids based on local needs as part of the fourth round of the Government’s Safer Streets initiative.

All four bids were successful and have been match funded, which means the total funding going into the various projects totals £3.76 million.

Some of the money will be targeted in Herefordshire, Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire to tackle local issues. There will also be money put into schemes that cover the whole of West Mercia.

Following a report from Women’s Aid, I want to remind victims of domestic abuse that support is there.

The report, issued by the leading domestic abuse charity, found that the cost of living is making it harder for domestic abuse victims to flee.

I understand the rising cost of living and news about an interest rates rise is going to be causing stress and worry in homes across West Mercia. No one should feel isolated and alone if they are enduring domestic abuse – please don’t suffer in silence.

I am working with West Mercia Police, Worcestershire County Council, Herefordshire Council, local NHS and probation services to tackle the impact drugs have on communities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

As part of the Government’s ‘From Harm to Hope’ 10 years drugs plan, I will be taking up the role of Senior Responsible Officer for the local Combatting Drugs Partnership that will cover the two counties.

I have also allocated £100,000 of additional funding to support the work, and to make sure the growing harm drugs cause in our community is combated.

“I understand the damage rural crime can cause to communities that often feel isolated. In West Mercia we have seen a 15% (238) increase in rural crime from the same month last year.

“To combat the increase in rural crime I continue to fund 5 Rural and Business Crime Officers who work in heart of rural communities across West Mercia. On a daily basis they work with residents and businesses to increase public confidence, promote crime prevention, provide advice and guidance, and work with the public and partners to reduce the crimes that most impact rural and business communities…”

You can read my full statement by clicking the button below.

Road safety continues to be at the heart of my work as Commissioner. In a bid to curb speeding on Salwarpe Road in Droitwich Spa, I have funded a new speed monitoring sign to the tune of £2,090.

Following concerns from local Councillor Richard Morris the solar powered vehicle-activated warning sign alerts drivers by flashing up a message to vehicles approaching at a speed higher than 30mph.

The month of August is National Road Victim Month.

As Commissioner, reducing the harm and deaths on our roads is at the heart of my Safer West Mercia Plan.

I am committed to working with partners and communities to change the very sad fact that too many people die or are seriously injured on our roads.

To read my plan, please click the button below.

To reduce the environmental impact of policing and get more visible officers on the streets of West Mercia, I have invested £50,000 in e-bikes since 2021.

A report issued in August from the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner said Police and Crime Commissioners are ‘at the heart of the decarbonisation agenda’.

The electric bikes, I have funded, are benefiting the environment and allowing officers to cover longer distances and access more rural communities.

On Thursday (4 August), I had the pleasure of meeting 30 new recruits.

The apprentice police officers are set to begin their 3-year Police Constable Degree Apprenticeships with West Mercia Police.

In my speech, I spoke to the new students about the important role I have to help build a safer West Mercia.

I wish all the apprentices good luck on the start of their policing journey!

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