Policing West Mercia

For a number of years, West Mercia Police has been recognised as one of the top performing forces in England and Wales as a consequence of delivering some outstanding results in fighting crime and improving community safety.

The force does not operate in isolation. Credit for the reduction in recorded crime must be shared with our community safety partners, other criminal justice agencies and local communities. Working together has helped to make Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire safer places to live, work and visit.

Particularly impressive areas of performance over the 12 months to the end of March 2010 included:

  • An 8 per cent reduction in all recorded crime
  • A 15 per cent reduction in domestic burglaries
  • A 6 per cent reduction in violent crime
  • An 11 percent reduction in vehicle crime


In addition, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) awarded West Mercia Police an overall grade of "good" in its October 2009 assessment of how well police forces were delivering the standards they promised the public within their Policing Pledges.  We were one of only eight forces to achieve this grade.

Five Years Of Progress

Looking back over five years, the difference being made to local people's lives becomes even more striking. Not only has the force reduced local crime but it has also enjoyed great success in tackling major and serious crime.

Performance - April 2005 To March 2010

Crime Volumes  2005/06 2006/07  2007/08  2008/09 2009/10
Change 2009/10 vs 2005/06 
Total Recorded Crime 85,353
 82,095
 80,054
 77,443
 71,284
 ↓ 16%
Domestic Burglary 3,738
 3,260
 3,654
 3,866
 3,291
 ↓ 12% 
Violent Crime 17,166
 17,510
 17,221
 16,399
 15,468
 ↓ 10% 
Vehicle Crime 9,752
 8,865
 8,492
 8,855
 7,478
 ↓ 23%
Sanction Detection Ratea 31.8%
 32.5 %
 29.0%
 29.7%
 27.0%

 ↓ 5 percentage points

a Sanction detections are crime investigations that lead to action being taken against the offender.

Looking Ahead

During 2010 and beyond, taking into account national targets, local partnership commitments and what our communities have told us, we intend to focus our resources on the following priority areas:

Strengthening Public Satisfaction and Confidence

Increasing the confidence of all our communities to ensure they are satisfied that we are responding to issues of local concern, meeting the standards of service laid out in our Policing Pledge and delivering the requirements of the national Victims Code.

Tackling Crime And Anti-Social Behaviour

Working with our partners to reduce crime levels by focusing on house burglary, robbery, serious violence, serious sexual offences and anti-social behaviour.

Protecting Vulnerable People

Focusing on the management of sex offenders and others who pose a risk to the public and enhancing the safety and security of vulnerable people by dealing positively with domestic abuse, child abuse, hate crime and missing people.

Bringing Offenders To Justice

Continuing to improve our investigative processes and working with our partners to deliver justice, protect the public and reduce re-offending.

Developing Our Protective Services

Continuing to develop the force's capacity and expertise to protect our communities from the threats of serious and organised crime, terrorism, civil emergencies and major crime. Using targeted enforcement and education campaigns to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our road network.

Reducing the Harm Caused By Drugs and Alcohol Misuse

Tackling alcohol related violence, working with partners to reduce underage drinking and disrupting the availability and supply of illegal drugs.

Sustainability

Making best use of our resources and minimising the impact of our operational activities on the environment.


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