This edition includes: working with partners and investing in crime prevention; a call for vigilance to help protect our communities; some new four legged recruits; my continued commitment to victims; my support for West Mercia Police and multiple ways for you to get involved in policing.
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 urged people to make respect their biggest gift on Valentine's Day...
As commissioner, protecting victims sits at the heart of my commitments
Stalking, checking your partners' phone, coercive control and romance fraud should never be tolerated, Valentine's Day or otherwise.
To reinforce this message, I released a series of short videos, which you can see on YouTube »
Vacancy...
VACANCY - Policy and Commissioning Intern
Want a role where you can make a real difference to over a million people? A role where you can help build safer communities? A role where you can influence important decisions at a local and national level?
My office is recruiting a Policy and Commissioning Intern, to support two teams for twelve months.
The role would suit an undergraduate looking for a 12 month placement, or a postgraduate looking for work experience in the field.
I am proud to work with partners and invest in crime prevention...
I am proud to contribute funding to the We Don’t Buy Crime (WDBC) initiative
WDBC provides communities with forensic marking technology, Smartwater, to protect their property and valuables from burglary. This includes homes, farms and petrol stations.
West Mercia has seen a significant reduction in residential burglaries
As a result of investment into crime prevention initiatives, like We Don't Buy Crime, as well as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, West Mercia has seen the number of residential burglaries fall.
It is vital to work together to ensure children use technology safely
I am proud to provide funding to Get Safe Online and to have joined partners, such as the UK Safer Internet Centre and West Mercia Police, in their support for Safer Internet Day.
Three new recruits I am delighted to provide resources for...
Juno, Jabba and Simba are the latest recruits into West Mercia Police.
For more photos and snippets from their journeys to becoming licensed police dogs, head over to the force's social media pages here »
I commend the force in their approach to tackling serious and organised crime (SOC)
In the latest victory, two men have been jailed for a combined total of over 9 years for drug offences in Worcester, after West Mercia Police officers stopped their vehicle on the M5. Story »
I am proud to work with Telford & Wrekin Council to tackle crime
I am working with Telfod & Wrekin Council to identify neighbourhoods of Telford & Wrekin that will benefit from a £1.5m investment.
The money will go towards reducing crime, tackling anti-social behaviour & improving the quality of life for local people.
I will continue to speak up for our police officers
I have called for our officers to be prioritised for a COVID-19 vaccination.
One of the oldest principles in policing is that 'the police are the public & the public are the police'. Now is the time to back that principle with prioritisation in vaccination.
Lastly, several ways for you to get involved in policing!
In my latest podcast, I spoke with Severn Arts, a charitable company from Worcestershire
We discussed how taking part in arts activities can inspire people to turn their lives around, and how Severn Arts are providing services to help people do just this.
Do you know what Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is and how it's used?
The force want to hear from you about your perception and understanding of ANPR usage across West Mercia, to help better engage with the public about how it is used.
