Council tax rise will fund 91 new West Mercia Police officers

The Police and Crime Commissioner revealed that road safety and tackling domestic abuse are two priorities in the latest police plans.

Mr Campion held a virtual public meeting to explain the latest police budget and to give people the chance to ask about policing strategy.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion

He is asking people to pay an extra £15 a year to increase the police budget to help pay for 91 more officers.

He said there are 400 extra police since May 2016 and there was a "compelling case" for the increase in council tax to help pay for extra resources.

Mr Campion and Chief Constable Anthony Bangham talked about the special focus they are putting on trying to cut deaths and injuries on the roads and tackling domestic abuse.

The priority is to make roads safer, but Mr Bangham said there was a correlation between traffic offences and series crime.

Many serious crimes involved vehicles, especially with cross border criminals, and traffic stops could lead to uncovering serious crime.

He hailed Operation Snap, where people can upload dash cam footage of bad and dangerous driving, as a big success.

Meanwhile, to tackle domestic abuse, the force is planning to increase training so officers can spot the signs.

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“There are still many people in West Mercia living in homes that are not safe," said Chief Constable Bangham.

During the meeting, people asked about police visibility and value for money.

Police are considering how social media can be used better to ensure the public know where local police are operating.

They are also looking at a charter of standards to ensure local policing means the same thing across the area.

The public meeting can be viewed on the PCC’s YouTube channel here.

To take part in the budget consultation, click here.