The PCC is strengthening his commitment to the communities of West Mercia through his 2021 budget proposals with increased visibility and accessibility, as police officer numbers are set to increase further*.
After promising to use the views of the public to shape his decision making, PCC John Campion is proposing a budget that will give communities what they have asked for, which includes giving them greater access and reducing crime, with a focus on crime prevention. A community policing charter is also being delivered, which will give reassurance to the public that they will receive what they need and reasonably expect from their police force.
The PCC will continue to focus resources on tackling crime and the issues causing the most harm, including prioritising reducing deaths and anti-social behaviour on local roads. Domestic abuse will also be prioritised, with the Commissioner’s focus continuing to be on enhanced training for officers, as well as a greater emphasis on prevention and additional effective support for victims.
In February, the Commissioner will be setting his budget which not only funds the police force but also the commissioning activities that help support crime reduction and victim services.
The pandemic has, as with other public services, had an impact on policing with the Government recently announcing a greater investment in order to support forces deliver on officer uplift and fight crime during these challenging times.
The Government has also announced further powers for PCCs around council tax, which allows for the Commissioner to propose a £15 increase for the policing portion of council tax (which equates to approximately £1.25 per month for a Band D household). This will support the Commissioner to deliver on his community policing aims, as well as continue reforming the force whilst ensuring that officer numbers can be protected and they have the tools needed to carry out their roles effectively.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I promised to listen to you, the public, and it is loud and clear what you want – a police force you can rely on, a police force you can access when you need help and a police force that is able to tackle the crimes you care about.
“To deliver this, and to maximise the effect of the additional police officers, I need to ensure West Mercia Police has the appropriate resources. Asking the public to pay more is a decision I don’t take lightly. We therefore need to be able to adapt and ensure the resources are there to not only deliver an effective and efficient police service, but also meet the needs of the communities.
“This year has been a challenging one for everyone, including within policing, and we know that these challenges will continue into the coming year. Your views are important to me and are central to the decisions I make. I would therefore encourage you to take part in the consultation so you can help shape this important decision.”
To take part in the consultation, click here. Please note that the closing date is 23.59pm 20th January 2021.
*An additional 91 for this budget, which takes the figure to 399 more than in May 2016 when the PCC came into office
Issued on: Wednesday 23rd December 2020
