PCC John Campion is focused on ensuring the service the public receives from West Mercia Police is improved, despite the financial challenges the country continues to face.
The PCC’s proposed budget for 2024/25 is focused on making good the investment he has made to date and making improvements in the area that matter most to communities: visible and accessible policing, investigations and outcomes and public contact.
Communities should expect to see improvements to the non-emergency (101) and emergency lines (999) through boosted investment into the police contact centre, 10 additional police officers bringing the establishment figure to the highest on record (2,506), protected Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) numbers and fewer abstractions, and more offenders are brought to justice through better quality of investigations.
The PCC will continue his focus on commissioning victim services, to ensure people can access support when they need it, as well as preventative and diversionary activity to prevent crime from happening in the first place.
PCC John Campion said: “The views of the public are incredibly important to me as I make my decision for this year’s budget. I have been planning for an increase, due to the rise in inflation and the cost of policing, however with inflation rising far higher than expected it has meant I am having to review my proposals in order to ensure the level of service isn’t affected.
“Despite these financial challenges, ensuring communities receive a level of service they expect from West Mercia Police is non-negotiable. I am therefore committing to ensuring resources are directed towards the areas that matter most to the public, so they feel the benefits of the investment I have made to date.”
Residents of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire can have their say until 7th January 2024 by completing the PCC’s consultation.
View the draft budget report here.
The PCC’s budget consultation has now closed.