Multiple arrests as Specials support policing teams in day of action

Twelve Special Constables joined teams across West Mercia in support of the Employee Supported Policing (ESP) Day of Action, reinforcing the force’s commitment to tackling neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour.

As part of the Safer Streets campaign, a Home Office initiative in line with the focused activity already taking place in West Mercia, the Specials were deployed across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire working alongside our Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) and CID.

Supporting our work to deliver safer town centres, as set out in the PCC’s West Mercia Safer Communities Plan, Specials took part in a range of high-visibility patrols, community engagement activities, and targeted operations aimed at reducing crime and increasing visibility in our communities yesterday (Wednesday 24 September). Here are some of the highlights: -

In Worcester, six people were arrested for offences including shoplifting, robbery, and failure to appear warrants. They attended three reports of shop theft, took park in hotspot patrols across key retail areas and joined a retail crime surgery held in the city centre to engage with businesses and the public.

Six people were arrested in Shrewsbury – three for shoplifting, resulting in 11 charges including handling stolen goods. Two arrests were made for failing to appear warrants linked to shoplifting, one arrest was made for recall to prison, also linked to retail offending.

The Specials also went out on foot patrol throughout the day, including visits to the Darwin Centre and hotspot patrols were completed.

In Telford policing area, two people were arrested for shoplifting offences, an engagement van was deployed in Wellington town centre, and 16 hotspot patrols were conducted.

In Evesham three arrest attempts were made and a shop theft incident was attended. 20 retail businesses were visited and signed up to the DISC intelligence-sharing platform. They also completed hotspot patrols.

Specials supporting Redditch SNT arrested a shoplifting suspect, completed hotspot patrols and helped seize two e-scooters in the town centre. They joined multiple retail premises visited for engagement and reassurance and an engagement surgery in the town centre to increase visibility and public interaction.

Eight retail crime locations were visited for engagement and disruption in Bromsgrove, hotspot patrols were completed, and one person was arrested over multiple shop thefts.

Kidderminster saw a retail crime surgery in the town centre, hotspot patrols completed and patrols with the Kidderminster BID team.

Chief Superintendent for Local Policing, Edd Williams, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our Special Constables during the Employer Supported Policing Day of Action.

“Their contribution is a vital part of our neighbourhood policing strategy, and their efforts yesterday have made a real difference in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.

“West Mercia Police has a proud history of working alongside our Specials, and this initiative highlights the strength of that partnership.

“We are grateful to the employers who support their staff in volunteering with us, your backing helps keep our communities safer.”

The day also served to highlight the value of employer supported volunteering, showcasing how Specials who give their time freely play a crucial role in keeping streets safe and supporting frontline policing.

You can find out how you could become a Special Constable for West Mercia Police here Special Constables | West Mercia Police .