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Weekly Update from West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner

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Weekly Update from Police & Crime Commissioner, Bill Longmore

Welcome to the latest edition of my newsletter. Each week I'll bring you the latest updates on the work being done by myself, my office and our many partner organisations - all trying to reduce & prevent crime, and make West Mercia an even better & safer place to live.

Thank you for your continued interest and support, and as always, there is an open invitation for you to get involved with our work as well.

Bill Longmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for West Mercia

Latest News

And the winners are.....

The first West Mercia Awards evening was held last night (October 22), where the overall category winners for the PCC's community awards were announced.

A special award for Innovation was also awarded to Rob Thomas for his work with Vennture.

Individual champion - Margaret Payton

Margaret Payton has worked with Neighbourhood Watch over a 30-year period. She helped to develop the scheme and worked tirelessly to encourage more members and more schemes in this area. Giving up her own time to attend meetings, do admin work, make telephone calls, visit groups and post leaflets to members, Margaret has worked extremely hard encouraging co-ordinators to remain.

PCSO Kate Easthope, who nominated her, said: “Margaret has dedicated 30 years of her life supporting people so that they feel safer in their community. She is a respected member of her community, going above and beyond of her role when needed. We, as a team, would be lost without her help!”

Dedicated service - Vince McNally

As well as working full-time in local government, Vince has spent a lot of his spare time helping Hinton Community Centre to evolve so it now offers a wide range of services for the community. A major contribution to the centre is the Boxing Club that Vince runs, offering social interactions, training, and a safe place to teach not just boxing but social skills.

Angela Tyler, who nominated him for the award, said: “Vince has commitment and is dedicated, working with local schools, pupil referral units, IOM, police, and anyone who needs support. He had been instrumental in getting support from Waitrose for the food club. He is a huge role model."

Group champion - ContinU Trust

ContinU Trust, a partnership of education providers and partners in the Wyre Forest & Hagley area, delivers a host of collaborative community initiatives aimed at developing a sense of active citizenship among young people, addressing perceived issues of safety and wellbeing and creating a can-do ‘make a difference’ ethos. The Trust has a ‘Community Ambassadors’ programme, ‘Be The Change’ award, initiatives to tackle hate crime and improve health as well as supporting the White Ribbon Campaign against Domestic Abuse, hate-crime initiatives and Best of Health programme.

Nick Parker, who nominated them, said: “ContinU has allowed young people and the school and colleges to play an important role in addressing societal issues, linking students and staff with other community ‘players’ and generating wider, richer dialogues around safety, crime reduction and well-being.”

Innovation Award - Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas is Chief Executive of Vennture whose Street Pastors help 3,000 young people each year, commanding the respect and trust of the public, police officers, venue owners, managers and door staff alike.

Within Robert’s ‘Lean on Me’ (Recovery Centre) project, Vennture’s trained volunteers are transforming care for the injured and impaired in the night-time economy at Emilia's Place, thus freeing up emergency services to respond more quickly to more serious incidents.

West Mercia Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner Barrie Sheldon said: “Rob has led by example and developed a range of truly innovative schemes using street pastors to enhance safety and assist in tackling street problems such as anti social behaviour, alcohol and drugs misuse. The ‘Emelia's Place’ project in Hereford is a groundbreaking initiative which is now being considered for use in other areas of West Mercia. "

Pictured above are the PCC category winners, receiving their awards from Commissioner Bill Longmore.
Below, are some of the special guests who graciously took part in the evening and presented awards. Left to right are: the High Sheriff of Herefordshire, Mr Edward Harley, the High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Sir Anthony Winnington, the High Sheriff of Shropshire Mr David Stacey, Police & Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore, Chief Constable David Shaw, Mr Andrew Duncan, DL for Worcestershire, Col Mark Cuthbert-Brown CBE, DL for Shropshire, and Mr Christopher James, Vice Lord Lieutenant for Herefordshire.

Along with the PCC category winners above, seven winners were announced in police categories, including awards for PCSOs, police staff, volunteers, Special Constables, Officers, and an overall Excellence in Policing winner.

A huge 'thank you and congratulations' must go out to all of the people and organisations who were nominated in every category last night. Their hard work and dedication is helping to make West Mercia a safer, happier place every day.

Patrol Base Returns to Ludlow

Ludlow will once again operate as a police patrol base, following efforts from the Police & Crime Commissioner and West Mercia Police.

The base at the town’s police station will operate alongside the existing base in Leominster. This will mean that two deployment bases cover south Shropshire , north Herefordshire and the Tenbury area in Worcestershire, with the aim of improving the police response across the whole area.

PCC Bill Longmore asked Chief Constable David Shaw to review the arrangements, following feedback from local communities that changes made to patrol zones in September 2013 had not resulted in the best possible service for all communities. The decision to install the new patrol base comes as a result of that review.

The new model will take effect from the 4th of January 2016. The number of officers dedicated to policing each local area will not be changed, and West Mercia Police will continue to provide the established neighbourhood policing teams in Leominster, Kington and Bromyard, Bishop's Castle, Ludlow, Cleobury Mortimer and Tenbury.

PCC Bill Longmore said: “From the word go I didn’t think this was going to work for Ludlow . It’s a very pretty town which gets a lot of visitors and the distance to Leominster was always going to prove a problem. The feedback I got from people locally was that the service wasn’t as good as it could be.

“The Chief agreed to review the arrangements, and I’m very pleased that officers will now be based in the town again. This will undoubtedly help provide better policing and better results for people in Ludlow , and I’m very pleased that the force is making this change.”

Amanda Blakeman, Assistant Chief Constable and Head of Local Policing for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, said: “This is an example of us listening to what our communities are telling us about the service we are providing.

“We are committed to ensuring that the policing in these areas meets the needs of all our communities where our three counties meet and we will be re-opening the base at Ludlow in the new year as a result of our review.”

Cleobury becomes first We Don’t Buy Crime town in country

A town in Shropshire has become the first in the country to become totally protected with a state of the art property marking system as part of a new West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police initiative.

Every household in Cleobury Mortimer is
being visited and has been offered the chance to security mark their property free of charge with SmartWater as part of a new We Don’t
Buy Crime campaign.

The initiative, instigated by the Cleobury
Crime Reduction Group, has been funded by the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, Cleobury Mortimer Parish Council and South Shropshire Housing Group.

Telford-based SmartWater manufactures and supplies cutting-edge forensic marking products which can be used to protect all manner of valuables, business assets and vehicles. Every bottle of the liquid carries a unique forensic code which is registered to a specific address. Once applied it is almost impossible to remove and can only be seen under ultraviolet (UV) light.

Police officers, volunteers from Cleobury Crime Reduction Group and representatives from SmartWater spent a day in Cleobury Mortimer delivering the product to people’s houses and supporting residents to mark their property.

Sean Thorogood, Chair of Cleobury Mortimer Parish Council, said: “Cleobury Mortimer is the first We Don’t Buy Crime town in the country, which is a very big deal for our community and a big step to assist in making our community less desirable to criminals.”

A special offer for all residents in the Warwickshire and West Mercia policing areas has also been launched that will allow them to purchase a SmartWater kit to protect their belongings at a much reduced rate.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Harding said: “The deal with SmartWater represents fantastic value for money for residents of the Warwickshire and West Mercia policing areas.”

West Mercia PCC Bill Longmore said: "This initiative fuses modern technology, in SmartWater, with old fashioned community spirit, with the aim of achieving something that will make Cleobury Mortimer safer and stronger. I'm aware a lot of good work has already been done to help ensure the whole town is part of the scheme, and I'm very grateful to all those involved. I want all communities to feel safe and Cleobury Mortimer is certainly leading by example with this initiative.”

Gary Higgins, Director of Security Services for SmartWater, said: “SmartWater has a proven track record in reducing crime, particularly burglary, criminals know and fear our brand and we want them to know that the police are actively looking for SmartWater across the West Mercia and Warwickshire force areas.”

PCC welcomes West Mercia’s ‘Good’ efficiency ratings from HMIC

West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore has welcomed a key report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, which he feels “shows the future of policing in West Mercia is in a healthier, more sustainable position than the majority of forces nationwide”.

HMIC inspectors examined how efficient police forces were across England & Wales. These ‘PEEL’ efficiency reports were released this week. In West Mercia, the force was awarded ‘good’ ratings across the board, and inspectors praised many elements of how finances and resources were being managed.

PCC Bill Longmore said: “As always, I welcome this report from HMIC. I think it paints a justifiably positive picture of the situation here. I feel it shows the future of policing in West Mercia is in a much healthier, more sustainable position than the majority of forces nationwide.

“The report backs up the fact that the force and its finances are being run responsibly, with a long-term view. We have good levels of reserves, and we are using them to good effect – part of which includes updating technology, which will make the force even more efficient in the future.

“The report also mentions the benefit of the strategic alliance with Warwickshire Police, which continues to provide efficiencies and real benefits not only to the police, but to the public across the two force areas as well. West Mercia has been through a lot of changes in a short space of time, and it’s to the credit of the police that they’ve made so much positive progress.

“It also touches on the importance we have placed on things like offender management and crime prevention. For me, these are key to improving police efficiency because preventing crime and successfully rehabilitating offenders is a much more cash-effective strategy in the long term.

“Naturally, the report also discusses future challenges and resilience, and a lot of work is happening to make the force even more efficient. The time will inevitably come where we cannot keep using reserves to cushion the blow of government savings.

"If further big cuts are imposed then it could mean significant changes in local policing, but finding the most effective, efficient, sustainable model for the future is the clear focus. Working in partnership with others will continue to be vital, but I’m confident that the West Mercia force is in a good position to meet whatever challenges are on the horizon,” he added.

New framework for commissioning being designed

The Police and Crime Commissioner is leading a programme of work across the West Mercia region working in collaboration with Community Safety Partnership partners to design and implement a Commissioning Framework.

Working in collaboration with CSP partners, the programme aims to strengthen the PCC's commissioning relationships and, in the process, further understanding of local need, crime patterns and trends as well as ensure services are equipped to meet the challenges of reduced public funding.

The Police and Crime Commissioner is leading this programme of work to address:

Increased budget pressures and the need to demonstrate value for money
To increase outcomes and strategic alignment across the partnership; and
To ensure interventions meet market trends and address increasing crime patterns in key areas.

For more information, please visit our website

Supporting wildlife crime awareness week from October 19 to 23

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia Barrie Sheldon is supporting Wildlife Crime Awareness Week (October 19-23).

He said: "Rural crime, which includes wildlife crime, is one of the PCC's three priority areas together with business and cyber crime, and we provide funding of £1m a year to deal with these.

"We also set up the Rural & Business Crime Governance Board where we work with organisations such as the NFU and the Countryside Alliance, and I also sit as an Executive on the National Rural Crime Network.

"Wildlife crime is something that comes up regularly within both organisations, and we often share best practice and new ideas across force areas. It's something we are acutely aware of, and the work we're doing locally clearly demonstrates that we are committed to tackling it," he added.

West Mercia Police has announced the appointment of two specialist wildlife crime officers (WCOs) who, along with their normal duties, have volunteered to investigate wildlife crime.

WCOs are dedicated, specially trained police officers who have a personal interest in wildlife and wildlife crime. Not only do they investigate crimes but they can also offer training and advice to colleagues.

They are often seen working with partner organisations including the Angling Trust and National Farmers Union and providing advice to the public at events.

The officers will work in partnership with Natural England, wildlife charities and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. They will pursue prosecutions against people committing crimes including poaching, harm of badgers, bats, deer, birds and birds of prey, egg theft, poisoning and fishing without a licence.

Superintendent Sue Thomas, lead for rural and business crime said: “We know that people feel very strongly about the need to tackle wildlife crime. These specialist officers will help us deliver an improved service, with our partners, to address wildlife and rural criminality.”

Poster deadline extended

Due to the huge interest received for our poster competition, we have extended the deadline for submission of entries to Friday, November 13.

The competition is open to schools and training establishments throughout the West Mercia area and winners will be decided by an online vote.

Find out more here.

In the Community

New menu keeps club boxing clever

Going from 'strength-to-strength' is a term that sums up how boxing has brought a basketful of benefits to offenders in Hereford.

Now the South Wye Police Boxing Academy, launched by coaches Rich Roberts and Vince McNally, is looking to dish up a fresh menu of options with the launch next month of a food hygiene catering course.

Community Ambassador Gwyneth Gill said: “This will lead to a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate for those who enrol, which will culminate in a special meal to be prepared the following month when those taking the course will do all the work and also wait on tables.”

Since the Club's move to its present home, Hinton Community Centre, at the start of this year, both the centre and the gym have been doing well, such that the Integrated Offender Management team and the Probation Service are supporting the launch of a fresh boxing course next month.

They are also continuing work with Mind in Herefordshire and on the Mind website is an inspiring testimonial by one of the students, Kate, who took the course. Follow the link here and prepare to be amazed.

And, just to punch home the success of the Academy, pictured here is one of its boxers, Yusuf Abdallah who won his debut bout in Birmingham. Yusuf is seen in action in that contest against Jay Hill from Leamington Spa.

Busy time for crime panel

It was a busy agenda at the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel held in Hereford this week. The agenda included discussion on: Enabling closer working between emergency services; Police and Crime Activity and Performance Monitoring Report, and a presentation on work completed on Strengthening and Deepening the Alliance (StrADA).

Pictured, from left, are Andy Champness (Chief Executive OPCC), Barrie Sheldon (Deputy PCC), Bill Longmore (PCC), Cllr Brian Wilcox JP (Chair, Police and Crime Panel for West Mercia), Liz Hall (Interim Chief Finance Officer OPCC), Cllr Tony Miller (Vice Chair Police and Crime Panel) and David Shaw Chief Constable of West Mercia Police.

Barrie Sheldon with two award recipients PC Lisa Hornberger and PC Alexandra Webb.

First hand account from hate crime victim

A number of police officers received awards for bravery at a ceremony this week attended by deputy Crime Commissioner Barrie Sheldon together with Chief Constable David Shaw.

Two of the officers – all of whom are based in North Worcestershire – were recognised for their courage in tackling a man since convicted for murder. Other awards were given to officers for saving lives and professional investigation of serious and major crimes.

Accompanying Barrie was Community Ambassador Mike Layton who said: “One officer received an award for the manner in which they dealt with a hate crime relating to a woman with disabilities. She attended the event and gave a detailed and passionate account of her experience and how the police had supported her. I have to say she was inspirational and it was humbling to listen to her.”

Market day invite for police station on wheels

A 'come back as often as you want' was the good news delivered to Shropshire police and Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore by Cleobury Mortimer Parish Council.

Parish Clerk Matt Sheehan told them the new Mobile Police Station – funded with a grant from the PCC – would be a hit at the town's monthly Farmers' Market. “Having a mobile police station in the town has given the community more to talk about and realise there is always help and advice available,” he said.

Matt said if the van could attend the markets, the dates and times would be publicised. “It is most definitely a worthwhile project," he added.

Pledging Support to Work Together

Next month sees the launch of #WeStandTogether, the focus for which is for communities with mixed faiths to be united.

To this end, a pre-launch event saw a range of people from Telford sign a special pledge board.

PCC Community Ambassador Sajid Younis said: "The initiative is that whichever faith or community you are from or belong to, that we are united in working together for the betterment of our communities".

Next week's diary highlights:

Monday 26th October
PCC and Deputy PCC attending Long Service and Good Conduct Awards Evening, Hindlip.
Tuesday 27th October
Deputy PCC attending Student Officer and PCSO Declaration evening, Hindlip.
Wednesday 28th October
PCC attending meeting of South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, Pershore Civic Centre.
Thursday 29th October
Weekly meeting between PCC and Chief Constable.

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