This month’s edition includes stories on the new combined Redditch Fire and Police Hub, a 43% decrease in anti-social behaviour, and Race Equality Week.
Keep reading to find out more…
ASB down 43%
Anti-social behaviour is down by 43% when compared to last year.
From March 2021 to January 2022, there had been 32,129 cases of anti-social behaviour in West Mercia, this has dropped to 18,303 when compared to the same period in 2022/23.
A key part of my safer West Mercia Plan focuses on tackling the issues causing harm in our communities. I welcome these encouraging figures but there is still much more that can be done to ensure this continues being a long-term trend.
In next year’s budget I have allocated £2m to rollout crime reduction projects in partnership with local councils. As seen by the successful Safer and Stronger project in Telford, involving communities in decisions about the best ways to tackle ASB in their area makes a real impact.
Green light on new joint police and fire hub in Redditch
I have approved plans to construct a new Police and Fire Hub in the heart of Redditch.
The new combined Hub will bring West Mercia Police and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue service together in the same building.
The Hub will ensure officers are accessible and visible, as well providing better value for taxpayers’ money and enabling the two emergency services to work more closely together.
Man guilty of theftJoby Pool, 32, of no fixed abode, appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court charged with criminal damage and two counts of theft.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and has been remanded in custody to appear at Shrewsbury Magistrates’ Court on 14 March 2023 for sentencing.
The conviction is in relation to the theft of chocolate, including almost 200,000 Creme Eggs, from a unit in Stafford Park in Telford on 11 February 2023. The chocolate is estimated to be worth around £40,000, and was recovered when officers stopped a vehicle on the M42 northbound.
Supporting Race Equality Week
It’s important that all police forces are inclusive and representative of the communities they serve.
To challenge the deep-rooted inappropriate behaviour still seen in our society today, national Race Equality Week was a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness and encourage people to do better.
Throughout the week, I along with officers and staff within my office and West Mercia Police took part in a range of activities, workshops and talks to educate and challenge our own behaviour.
Celebrations recently took place to mark 20 years of PCSOs in West Mercia.
In West Mercia, there are 200 brilliant PCSOs who help to tackle anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime. They also support vulnerable and young people as well as being visible and accessible across our villages, towns and cities.
To celebrate this huge milestone an event took place at Hindlip, where I, along with Chief Constable Pippa Mills met with PCSOs from across the force to shine a light on the amazing work they do to build a safer West Mercia.
As the voice of the public in policing, it’s important to me to hear what issues matter to you in your area.
On Thursday 9 February, I was in Oswestry with West Mercia Police and MP Helen Morgan listening and talking to residents about their local concerns.
Deputy PCC Marc Bayliss went along to Wythall residents’ meeting in North Worcestershire on Wednesday 15 February along with West Mercia Police’s Inspector Richard Field.
Both meetings were an opportunity to talk and listen to residents about the work going on in their areas to tackle crime and to also answer a range of questions on policing.
Have your say
Have your ever reported a crime you witnessed, or were a victim of, to the police? Or did you decide not to?
To build a safer West Mercia, it’s important I understand whether you feel confident reporting it to the police and if not, what barriers are stopping you.
You can make a difference by completing a short online survey covering your experience.
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