Hello and welcome to my latest newsletter. This edition includes: a welcome spending review from the Chancellor; an opportunity to have YOUR say directly with me; more county lines arrests in the fight against Serious & Organised Crime and my support for White Ribbon Day, as I released a special series of podcasts alongside securing more funding to help raise awareness and tackle the issue of domestic abuse.
Due to the new COVID-19 government guidelines, my office is mainly working from home and, whilst we are able to take phone calls to our usual OPCC number, I would encourage you to contact us by emailing opcc@westmercia.pnn.police.uk or by using our social pages 'westmerciapcc' on Facebook and twitter. Any members of the public needing to call the office can do so between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday - Friday. Please stay safe and look out for each other.
I welcome the Chancellor's one-year spending review...
What matters to you? Have YOUR say with me directly...
With COVID-19 continuing to impact how I engage with communities, I am hosting a series of online events for the public to raise concerns with me directly - and I want to hear YOUR views.
The four online sessions are being conducted via Zoom and will each focus on Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Telford & Wrekin specifically.
Following on from the first session focusing on Herefordshire, the next sessions are due to take place as follows:
It has now been confirmed that all areas of the West Mercia Police force area will be in tier 2 from next week, and we must continue to pull together as a community. Guidelines below...
I proudly supported White Ribbon Day, which continues to help victims of domestic abuse...
I released a special series of podcasts to raise awareness of the issue. Find each episode below...
1) The Hollie Gazzard Trust - This first episode features Nick Gazzard, who talks about his daughter, how he came to set up the Hollie Gazard Trust and how he hopes to help young people spot signs of abuse.
2) Spotting the signs of DA - I also spoke to Domestic Abuse Risk Officer, Donna Wailes, who talks about how she protects victims & how family and friends are key to spotting the signs.
3)The history of White Ribbon Day - I spoke to the Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK, Anthea Sully, who talks about the incredible history around White Ribbon Day, and the importance of men reaching out to their friends for help if they are behaving in a way that concerns them.
You can listen to the podcasts via Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Alexa, or alternatively on my website here
As well as awareness, the issue needs funding, and I am delighted to provide this alongside local and national partners...
Over half a million of funding to prevent domestic abuse
I secured over £560,000 of funding to support victims and to challenge and change the behaviour of those who are controlling or violent towards loved ones.
I continue to deliver on my commitment to helping victims across West Mercia
I am proud to work with local & national partners, like West Mercia Women's Aid & Victim Advice Line (VAL), to ensure over £1,000,000 of funding reaches those who need it.
Op Protect: I am pleased to continue working with the force to tackle Serious and Organised Crime
Another county lines drug dealer has been put behind bars:
David Dudley from Birmingham has been sentenced to 33 months in prison after being caught at Hereford Train Station with crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply.
The impact of Serious and Organised Crime such as this can be devastating to individuals and entire communities, and I remain committed to tackling it.
I am pleased to work with partners to secure Home Office funding for our region
Over £550,000 of Safer Streets Funding secured by West Mercia Police, Telford & Wrekin Council and myself will improve the safety of residents in Brookside, Telford.
It is great to see partners coming together to create a more inclusive West Mercia
West Mercia Police is helping officers & staff provide an enhanced and more sensitive service to those affected by autism, by supporting the roll-out of Autism West Midlands’ Autism Alert Cards.
International Fraud Awareness Week also reminded us to shop safely online this Black Friday & Christmas...
We must all be careful when shopping online this Christmas
Too many people fall victim to scams & fraud, consequently suffering financially and emotionally.
International Fraud Awareness Week reminds us to look out for our elderly and vulnerable, who are disproportionately targeted, and make them scam aware.
