Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion said: “There is sadly a problem in society where a minority of men are violent towards women and girls, this accounts for one in five offences in West Mercia.
“I understand most men are not violent towards women but ignoring those who are is a large part of the problem. I am committed to tackling this violence, but I understand societal change won’t happen overnight.
Over the past year, the PCC has funded more than 10,000 personal safety alarms. An additional 1,500 free alarms are set to be distributed to women and girls in Herefordshire and Worcestershire by the PCC and local policing teams.
The alarms are only one strand of the work the PCC is championing in the two counties with £350,000 being allocated to improving CCTV and street lighting, expanding StreetWatch schemes and building on partnership work. With a further £400,00 being invested into West Mercia wide projects.
PCC John Campion added: “As a man, I can never experience what some women and girls have had to endure. I have never walked in their shoes, feared walking alone, or made changes to my behaviour to make myself feel safe. However, I understand the privilege I have as a man to not experience this. But this does not stop me wanting to support and put in place support for women right across West Mercia to make them feel safer. As Commissioner, I will continue to ensure women and girls are not only given a voice, but they are being listened to.”
