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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

West Mercia Awards launched

West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore has launched a new awards scheme to recognise people who go the extra mile to ensure their communities are safe, healthy and happy places in which to live and work.

The West Mercia Awards will be given to people and groups who go ‘above and beyond’, to make a difference to their community, and help achieve objectives from the PCC’s Police & Crime Plan.

In each category, there will be an award winner from each of the three counties – Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

PCC Bill Longmore said: “In the last 20 years I have seen dramatic changes in our societies, some where we need to look at what our values really stand for today.

“At a time when public service budgets continue to be squeezed, I believe it’s the people in our communities who can step forward, and play a bigger part in developing & improving the places where they live. There are already thousands of volunteers giving up their time in West Mercia to do so. Their time is free but a lot of the facilities they need still require finance.

“I want these awards to encourage and show appreciation of the people who have shown leadership in their communities or inspired change to benefit others.

“I hope the event will show the amount of good work that goes on, and that the stories of the winners will inspire others to come forward and work together to improve the lives of people of all ages.

“So if you know someone in West Mercia who really makes a difference to life where you live, I’d ask you to nominate them for these awards. We all benefit from the hours of selfless work these people put in, so please take a few minutes to tell us why they’re so special.”

The award categories are:

Individual Champion of the Community Award
Awarded to an individual who has been a champion in their local community by, for example, making people feel safer through promoting crime prevention, or by finding solutions to local issues or by supporting victims of crime or ex offenders. The individual will show how the nominee goes above and beyond to help achieve objectives of the West Mercia Police and Crime Plan and ensure this makes a real difference in their community.

Group Champion of the Community Award
Awarded to a group or organistion which has been a champion in their local community by, for example, making people feel safer through promoting crime prevention, or by finding solutions to local issues or by supporting victims of crime or ex offenders. The group/organisation will show how the nominee has gone above and beyond to help achieve objectives of the West Mercia Police and Crime Plan and ensure this makes a real difference in their community.

Dedicated Service Award
Awarded to an individual who has given dedicated service to their communities and, as a result, made people feel safer and happier where they live. The individual will have given service over a period of time which has resulted in real benefits to their community. This award could also be given to someone who has consistently supported victims of crime as well as those who have supported offenders in making a return to their community.

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony on October 22 at Hindlip Hall when West Mercia Police will also be giving awards to officers and volunteers who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure communities stay safe.

For more information and to fill in an online application form please go to
www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk

The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 4 at 4pm.

New Blogs From The Deputy PCC

Deputy PCC Barrie Sheldon has published two new blogs this week.

The first is on the PCC website, and looks at the publication & presentation of crime statistics, and the factors that sometimes make them go up or down.

The second is for the National Rural Crime Network, discussing crime in rural parts of West Mercia.

Please click on the images below to view the blogs on the respective websites.

ALSO THIS WEEK

Deputy PCC to speak at special conference

Deputy PCC Barrie Sheldon has this week been confirmed as a keynote speaker at a Criminal Justice Conference.

The free event is being organised by YSS and will be held on October 19 at Hindlip Hall, Worcestershire. Save the date for your diary if you work in adult criminal justice and would like to attend.

Click here to download a booking form, or for more information, email yssevents@yss.org.uk

In the Community

PCC Bill Longmore visited a community fun day in Arleston (Telford & Wrekin) on Saturday. AFC Telford, and the police force were among the people involved on the day at Watling Community Centre.

Following his stop in Arleston, the PCC attended the annual NARPO (National Association of Retired Police Officers) event at Hindlip later that afternoon.

Pictured are SNT Inspector Darren Webster and church shop volunteer Sue with Mike Layton at St Stephen's Church, Redditch.

Briefing covers range of topics

HGVs parked dangerously, daytime drinking anti-social behaviour and the recent launch of the North Worcestershire Independent Advisory Group were among a range of topics shared at a briefing with Community Ambassador Mike Layton.

The update for Mike was given by Insp. Darren Webster who shared details on initiatives his Safer Neighbourhood Team were using to tackle a 'spike' in non-house burglaries in Kidderminster and Bromsgrove.

“There is an emerging problem of lorries parked dangerously on an industrial estate which the SNT is dealing with,” said Mike.

Mike and Insp. Webster also visited St Stephen's Church which acts in part as a community 'drop-in' centre.

The IAG currently has 12 members and is seen, said Mike, as an important step forward in engaging with the community. Insp. Webster's current focus is to to expand membership of the IAG to embrace established and newer Polish communities, younger members, particularly young men and women from BME backgrounds.

Pictured top are people enjoying real beer at one of the town's pubs. Above left, local police keeping an eye on proceedings and above right, time for a sound check.

All ale and hearty at town beer festival

With a full complement of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, the Bishop's Castle 'Real Ale Trail' was well supported.

To ensure everyone had a good and safe time in the town's half dozen or so pubs, Shropshire Community Ambassador Graham Oliver joined the Sergeant, PCs, Specials and PCSOs on patrol to help the event and locals and visitors were pleased to see the local force 'on the beat'.

With streets closed and music on hand from impromptu stages, Shropshire Council staff were also there to check the decibel levels.

“This was a good event, well controlled and I heard positive comments towards the SNT and also for the SIA door staff and the sensible drop-off points for coaches,” said Graham.

PCSO Leeanne Marwick taking cyclist Mark Pearce's details after his bike was 'tagged' by PCSO Kirsty Jenkins.

Bike marking for all in Hereford

From high value road bikes to utility BMX track machines the continued growth in two-wheel over four-wheel travel it's more important then ever to get them marked and logged.

Police in Hereford High Town were kept busy as part of the 'Engaging Communities' initiative that brought together some 40 different stands and groups.

Two recipients of Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore grant scheme - Brightstripe and HVOSS - were also on hand, the former promoting sport to young people and promoting all-age walking groups, while HVOSS were seeking recruits to the Youth Council.

Supporting the event was Herefordshire Community Ambassador Gwyneth Gill who said: “So much was on offer from free blood pressure and diabetes checks, meeting our emergency services and even head massage. The free bike serial number registration initiative was well used by visitors.”

Mark said afterwards: “ This is such a good, free service, such a neat job and I am pleased to get it done. A friend had it done and recommended I come down and take up the offer.”

Family event for Police Cadets

The passing out parade for Hereford Cadets was very much a family event with parents and friends and the wider 'policing family'.

Marching in, the Cadets were first inspected by Supt. Sue Thomas, pictured, watched by Cllr Charles Nicholls, representing the Mayor of Hereford, with Mayoress Mrs Jenny Tawn, Community Ambassador Gwyneth Gill and the county's deputy Lord Lieutenant, Paul Deneen OBE.

Perhaps one of the proudest at the evening was PC Chris Lea who welcomed 'his Cadets', whose certificates were presented by PCSO Ali Thompson.

PC Lea said: “I am proud of our Cadets, who continue to portray themselves as excellent young ambassadors for the Hereford police area and the wider West Mercia Police. Our Cadets are a fully integrated part of the wider 'policing family' including PCs, PCSOs, Special Constables, volunteers and our Neighbourhood Watch.”

PC Tina Cowan of South Worcestershire's Youth Engagement Team with PCSO Raid Abdo and Nick Johnson from Youth Support.

Cadets seek adventure and discipline

Not all those who aspire to join West Mercia Police as 'Cadets' follow-on to become full-time officers, but what Cadets receive is hard to find in any other environment.

The latest group to sign up shared some of their passions and ambitions with South Worcestershire Community Ambassador Richard Morris.

Richard had been invited to the special event to explain his role and that of Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore.

“I had an opportunity to speak with our senior Cadets to find out more about their future ambitions. In addition to sharing how rewarding the experience of being a Cadet had been, a number were planning to join with one already enrolled as a PCSO,” said Richard.

Others, explained Richard, were on route to a university place to study relevant courses with others looking to follow public-based service careers.

“Some said being a Cadet helped support their career options but several were keen to share it was for the 'adventure', while new recruit saw the 'discipline' involved in being a Cadet as the attraction.” Richard explained.Cadets

Highlight of the evening, with parents and friends present, was receiving their 'kit' with their personal progress folders with voluntary work a Level 2 Leadership and Teamwork qualification.

They also received dates and activities they will be involved in. These include Evesham 'Cyclefest', Worcester's 'Run-Bike-Run', Tenbury High School careers fair, Worcestershire 'Young Solutions' and being 'on parade on Remembrance Day.

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