Police and Crime Commissioner Statement (Published May 2024)
The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) (Amendment) Order 2021 provides that PCCs must publish a narrative setting out:
- a statement on the contribution of the police force maintained by the elected local policing body to achieving improvements against those priorities;
- an explanation of which of the national priorities are assessed to be applicable and which not applicable in the context of the relevant police area and the reasons for that assessment.
All the national policing priorities are assessed to be applicable as they align to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Safer West Mercia Plan and West Mercia Police’s Control Strategy.
Set out below is the PCC’s statement on the contribution of West Mercia Police to achieving improvements against the national priorities for policing.
National Policing priorities
Priority area: Reduce murder and other homicide
A summary of quarterly performance:
- 2 offences were recorded in Q4, both in South Worcestershire. One relates to a 1 punch manslaughter in Malvern, and the other a tragic domestic homicide and attempt murder in Worcester.
- 2 homicides recorded in this period is below average.
Reflections on force performance:
- The force has seen an extended period of lower-than-average crime recording in relation to homicide, this is believed to be because of the move to enhanced scrutiny in recording of these offences.
- The force recorded 8 homicides in 2023/4, the lowest number in recent history.
A summary of planned action for the next quarter:
- The homicide problem profile and near miss document will be produced in May, which will inform a new force level Homicide Prevention Plan that will be presented to the C+V management group in June.
Priority area: Reduce serious violence
A summary of quarterly performance:
Violence with injury offences have fallen, with a reduction of 7% in Q4 compared to the same period last year. Such offences have fallen by 10% in North Worcestershire and 11% in Telford & Wrekin. The number of offences with positive outcomes (outcomes 1 -8) has continued to rise, reaching the force target of 13%, with Herefordshire achieving positive outcomes in 18% of cases.
There is a delay in reporting for national policing measures around serious violence & knife crime. However, they are showing a positive trend. The force saw no change in the overall volume of NHS Sharps injury admissions in December 2023 and a 17% decrease in the number of police recorded crime involving a knife or sharp instrument. West Mercia has the lowest volume in the region.
Reflections on force performance:
The force has seen a modest decrease in the volume of violence with injury offences, and a significant decrease in knife crime. This is likely to continue with preventative approaches such as hots spot policing and a renewed focus problem solving plans.
A summary of planned action for the next quarter:
- Hot spots policing funded by Home Office will be fully implemented in June, with 46 hot spots identified according to serious violence and anti-social behaviour. This will be part of a randomised control trial, in partnership with University of Cambridge.
- Op Sceptre – anti-knife crime week of action – commences 13th May, with a focus on perpetrators and diversion.
- Licensing Safeguarding & Vulnerability Initiative (LSAVI) continues to be rolled out force wide to improve safety in the nighttime economy, with Police CPI and evaluation by University of Central Lancashire.
Priority area: Disrupt drugs supply and county lines
A summary of quarterly performance:
- At the end of April 2024, West Mercia Police had 33 active organised crime groups (OCGs). This represents no change on the number last reported (Dec 2023) and remains the 2nd highest number ever recorded by West Mercia.
- 64% of our active OCGs are criminally active in drug supply.
- Q4 2023/24 saw 32 moderated OCG Disruptions. NB: This is the first quarter that data has been recorded directly onto APMIS and as such the data is a provisional – a number of disruptions are still within the moderation process and the final figure could increase up to 43.
County Lines team activity since the last report resulted in:
- Tier 1-line closures – 6.
- Arrests – 73.
- £475K drugs seized.
- £7.9K cash seized.
- 32 nominals safeguarded.
(NB: A County Lines Intensification Week was held 4th – 10th March 2024)
Reflections on force performance:
The performance data shows continued positive performance in breaking supply chains and rolling up the CL model. As of April 24, the force has 25 active CLs, this is only slightly above average for the last 12 months, but represents a reduction on the numbers of county lines active prior to 2023. Additionally, the force continues to develop initiatives such as Op Radar, the targeting of CL offenders utilising the Strategic Road Network, resulting in 4 arrests, the seizure of a significant quantity of heroin and seizure of over £1000 in cash during a week of action in December.
West Mercia positively contributed to March CLIW (4th – 10th March) which was focused on safeguarding and exploitation. West Mercia accounted for 49 arrests, 2 line closures, £450K drugs seized, £3K cash seized, 31 weapons seized including a Section 1 firearm, 27 Nominals safeguarded, 100 Cuckooing visits.
From a wider drug supply perspective:
The force has not seen a significant rise in drug related deaths relating to synthetic opioids. There is still potential for this to occur with the heroin supply from Afghanistan becoming constricted or synthetic opioids appearing. The force is considering naloxone pilots to prepare for that eventuality.
The capacity of drug expert witness (DEW) officers remains a challenge and funding has been identified to reduce the backlog of statement requests and thereby speed up the criminal justice process for offenders involved in drug supply offences. Work in ongoing to increase the use of video link between DEW’s and the Courts.
The force continues to improve its Drug Testing on Arrest (DTOA) capability to ensure that all opportunities to divert offenders are taken. The scheme is currently focused on acquisitive crime but is likely to move into other areas such as domestic abuse in the future.
Priority area: Reduce neighbourhood crime
Neighbourhood crimes have been a particular focus of tasked activity enabled by the £400k budget in 2023/24, with an upturn in activity in Q4.
Theft from the person (TFP)
Reflections on force performance :
A total of 63 theft from person offences were recorded in final quarter of the 23/24 performance year. This is a reduction of nine offences (-13%) on the previous quarter and accounts for ~0.3% of total recorded crime for the force. Given the extremely low number of offences across the force and the nature of offending (generally opportunistic), this is a lower priority for LPAs when compared to crimes of a similar nature (such as shoplifting).
Summary of planned activity :
This crime type is not subject to any specific operation, however, should trends or a spike be identified it would typically be investigated by our Safer Neighbourhood Officers in town centres, which is where most offences are recorded. This will be consumed by the soon to be created Town Centre Teams by the end of Q2.
Robbery
Reflections on force performance :
Robbery offences have reduced over the 2023/2024 reporting period. Personal robbery has reduced by 10.4% with 62 fewer offences. Business robbery has reduced by 35% with 22 fewer offences.
Detections across West Mercia at the end of quarter 4 were at 10.4%. This is an increase from 8.4% in the previous year.
Robbery offences are a focus of local Tasking and Delivery Group meetings. To reduce volume offending, we review data to identify current and seasonal hotspots for enhanced patrols. All reported offences of robbery are investigated by CID. Crime dashboards and the matrix are used to identify robbery suspects. Community engagement and prevention activity is supported through Community Safety Partnerships.
Summary of planned activity :
Local Policing areas will enhance current prevention activity through a maturing adoption of hotspot policing for identified locations and focussed deterrence for those suspected to be committing robbery offences or carrying knives and other weapons.
Use of bail checks for suspects on bail for robbery offences will be enforced.
Burglary (Residential)
Reflections on force performance :
Between Q3 and Q4 2023/24 there has been a significant drop in recorded residential burglaries within West Merica. 911 offences were recorded in Q3 which decreased to 695 in Q4. This is in within the context of a fall in recorded burglary offences in 23/24. The overall detection rate for residential offences at the end of Q4 was 6.3%.
Summary of planned activity :
We will continue to improve relationships with neighbouring forces to address cross border criminality, North Worcester being particularly successful in working with West Midlands Police to tackle Car Key burglary offences on the force boundaries with Operation Enzyme. All LPA’s continue to focus and prioritise their resources in local tasking groups. The work of the CID will be supported by the SNT with following up burglary visits.
Vehicle Crime
Reflections on force performance :
Q4 performance across the force for vehicle crime detection has remained at 3.30%. The volume of offences across the force has reduced by 8%, a reduction of 373 offences. Typically, only a small number of vehicle crimes have identifiable opportunities to bring offenders to justice. In order to counter these offences, they are closely monitored via local Tasking and Delivery Group meetings to identify trends and seasonal hotspots. It is becoming clear that some car key burglars are switching to “keyless” theft of motor vehicle as the sanctions are not as serious as they would be for burglary.
Summary of planned activity :
LPA’s will enhance current prevention activity through the use of hotspot policing methods.
Where trends or a series of vehicle crimes are identified, these will become the focus of targeted patrols for hotspot areas which will be undertaken by the Safer Neighbourhood or Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Teams.
Priority area: Improve victim satisfaction with a focus on victims of domestic abuse
Victim satisfaction in relation to domestic abuse (those who are completely, very or satisfied) was 80% in Q4, which is in line with the target. North Worcestershire has the best satisfaction for DA, at 85%, compared with Shropshire who have the lowest with 74%.
The significant focus on investigation quality, with IQ Sgts now delivering face to face small group (if not one-to-one) training with Sgts will assist with satisfaction, should cause an increase to be seen in Q1/Q2 2024.
Priority area: Tackle cyber crime
A summary of quarterly performance – Q4:
- 99 referrals (compared to 66 last quarter) were made by Action Fraud to West Mercia Police over the three-month reporting period.
- 100% of Action Fraud referrals were investigated.
- 100% of Action Fraud referrals received PROTECT advice from a member of the FCCU.
- 126 minor disruptions were recorded over the reporting period which range from education activity, investigation related activity and the submitting of intelligence.
Reflections on Force performance:
- Two individuals were submitted for consideration of entry onto the Cyber Choices PREVENT Programme with one of these individuals being accepted. The other individual is receiving support and ongoing safeguarding from Children’s Services and the FCCU.
- “PREVENT Live” events took place targeted at school DSL’s aiming to educate them specifically on the Cyber Choices Programme reaching 187 people.
- 31 in person events have been held over Q4 with the 3P team making direct contact with 10,170 members of the public, offering PROTECT advice.
- 37 West Mercia employees were trained by the FCCU and ECU as Cyber & Fraud SPOC’S in order to extend the reach of PROTECT and PREPARE messaging across the force area.
- The 3P Team attended Malvern, Worcestershire and Telford Careers Events to promote the Cyber Choices PREVENT Programme and deliver PROTECT messaging.
- Extensive preparation and co-ordination took place throughout Q4 in respect of Operation COLDRA and nationwide enforcement that later took place in Q1 24/25. Operation COLDRA relates to the hacking of cryptocurrency accounts, the fraudulent transfer and later laundering of stolen assets and later violent offending but offenders-based UK wide
Planned Action for 24/25 Q1.
- Operation COLDRA enforcement.
- “PREVENT Live” continues (a talk-show style event aimed at educating the public and workforce on Cyber PREVENT)
- The introduction of “PROTECT Live” events targeting Parent/Guardians in respect of cyber PROTECT messaging.
- The continued review of cyber related intelligence to identify proactive opportunities to target criminals.
- The initial planning stages of the 2024 Online Safety Conference due to take place at HQ on 10th July 2024.
