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 result of delivering some outstanding results in fighting crime.

The force does not operate in isolation. Credit for the reduction in recorded crime and the increased number of criminals convicted 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 2009 included:

  • A 3 per cent reduction in all recorded crime.
  • A 6 per cent reduction in violence against the person.
  • A 7 per cent reduction in vehicle crime.
  • A 9 per cent reduction in criminal damage offences.

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 2004 to March 2009

Crime Volumes 2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08   2008/09Change 2008/09 vs 2004/05 
Total Recorded Crime95,056 85,353 82,095 80,054 77,443↓ 18.5%
Domestic Burglary4,785  3,738  3,260  3,654  3,866
↓ 19.2% 
Violent Crime19,820 17,166 17,510 17,221 16,399
See note a
Vehicle Crime10,943 9,752 8,865 8,492  8,855 ↓ 19.1%
Sanction Detection Rateb26.5% 31.8% 32.5% 29%  30%

 ↑ 3.5 percentage point increase

a Numbers of recorded crimes will be affected by changes in reporting and recording in 2008/09, so a direct comparison with previous years is not possible.

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

Looking ahead

During 2009 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:

Delivering our Policing Pledge

Ensuring that we meet the standards of service laid out in our Policing Pledge in the three core areas of community engagement and consultation; contact management and response; and victim, witness and customer care.

Tackling Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

Working with our partners to reduce crime levels by focusing on house burglary, robbery, serious violence and anti-social behaviour and by bringing more offenders to justice by improving the quality of our investigations.

Protecting Vulnerable People

Enhancing the safety and security of vulnerable people through taking a pro-active collaborative approach to deal with domestic abuse, child abuse, hate crime and missing people.

Strengthening Local Policing

Continuing to build the working relationships established by our 145 local policing teams through patrols, regular PACT consultation events and successfully addressing locally identified policing priorities.

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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