This edition includes: the public having their say on the 2020/2021 police budget, a call to continue looking out for our communities; a reduction in overall crime; more investment into crime prevention; new recruits to make our streets safer and continuing to put victims at the heart of my Safer West Mercia plan.
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.
Over 650 people heard how the police budget is spent
It’s important that the views of our communities are heard and taken into account as part of the budget setting process. This meeting presented a great opportunity for communities to understand more about how the policing budget is prioritised and how this affects community safety, as well as a chance to voice their priorities for next year's budget.
Questions were put to the West Mercia Chief Constable and myself on a range of topics linked to the budget, including visible policing, anti-social behaviour, rural crime, victim services and crime prevention.
It is vital to continue looking out for our communities...
Be aware of scams...
In the UK, coronavirus vaccines will only be available via the NHS. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or a local pharmacy to receive your vaccine.
The vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, or should you require information on the latest scams, head to www.actionfraud.police.uk
Look out for your neighbour
Have you spoken with your neighbour today? Is there anything you can do to help someone who is isolated?
To make it easier for people to continue looking out for each other, I have introduced resources that are available to download.
Overall crime continues to fall, but there is always more to do...
Latest news...
I remain committed to tackling Serious & Organised Crime (SOC)
I am delighted to continue supporting the force and providing them with the resources needed to tackle county lines drug dealing. Op Protect continues to fight this type of crime and reassures communities they are being kept safe.
I commend West Mercia Police in their proactive approach, an example of which can be foundhere.
Drug offences are one of the few offences to increase during the period of lockdown during 2020, with a 32% increase recorded in West Mercia and 682 offences recorded last quarter alone.
I therefore welcome the government's announcement that £80 million of extra funding will be made available for drug treatment.
I continue to speak out and put victims at the heart of my Safer West Mercia plan...
I support the new strangulation law planned to tackle abusers
I responded to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland's hopes to make non-fatal strangulation a specific offence, after a call by domestic abuse campaigners.
I am pleased to recommission vital victim services
The Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services, which provide invaluable support to those affected by this awful crime, have been recommissioned.
Both services will be delivered by West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC).
I welcome the government's new strategy to protect children from sexual abuse
It is my priority to protect the most vulnerable in our society, prevent child sexual abuse, and support victims and survivors to rebuild their lives. This strategy brings us another step closer to achieving that goal.
I therefore wholeheartedly support the government’s new strategy, which sets out a robust approach to protecting children.
