PCC John Campion's Newsletter

Update from West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner

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The latest news from John Campion, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

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Safer West Mercia Plan

I have unveiled my Safer West Mercia Plan for consultation with communities and partners across West Mercia. The draft plan sets out how I will create a safer West Mercia, working in partnership with the police, communities and other agencies over the next four years.

I set out my vision for a more secure, reformed, reassured and ultimately safer West Mercia before my election and I am now delivering on that vision. My plan outlines how I will ensure West Mercia is served by a modern, more effective, more efficient police force. It outlines how I will enable more active citizenship, empowering communities themselves to help tackle local issues, and it outlines how I will work with partners to achieve the best possible results and value for the public.

I promised to listen and engage as Commissioner and I am delivering on that promise. Your input and feedback has helped shape the plan up to now.

I want to hear from as many people as possible before the plan is finalised to ensure it represents all the priorities that matter most to our communities.

The plan is out for consultation until 16th of September. You can read it here and you are invited to send your comments via:

Online: Fill out the Commissioner's electronic feedback form
Email to: opcc@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
Write to: John Campion, Police and Crime Commissioner, West Mercia Police, Hindlip Hall, Worcester, WR3 8SP

Other formats are available on request.

Video: Victims Charter - click to watch

I have delivered my new Victims Charter for West Mercia, which outlines the standards and services communities can expect should they ever fall victim to a crime.

I pledged to deliver this Charter within 100 days of taking office and I have kept that promise to our communities. We have some good victim services already locally, but I want to make them better, so that we more consistently see the sort of tailored, timely and effective help that victims need.

This Charter makes it clear to our communities what help they can expect every time. In doing so, it also creates a means to hold myself, the police and my other partners to account to make sure these standards are being delivered.

The charter sets out key points for helping people to cope and recover from a crime, including preparing statements for court cases, being kept up to date on their case and preventing people becoming victims a second time.

To read the charter in full click here. Click the image above to see my video.

Community Ambassadors

I'm pleased to announce that I've appointed my new team to deliver for communities in West Mercia.

Following the appointment of my Deputy PCC, Tracey Onslow, I now have a team of Community Ambassadors in place to engage with local communities ensuring their priorities are understood, their needs are being met and their concerns are being acted on. Anyone can contact their local Ambassador to bring issues around crime, safety or policing to the Commissioner’s attention.

The Ambassadors are Graham Oliver for Shropshire, Daniel Guerche for Herefordshire and Melanie Baker for Worcestershire. The appointment for the Telford & Wrekin area is currently being finalised, with the announcement of the successful applicant due imminently.

More information about the Ambassadors, including contact details, can be found here.

Latest pictures

Main image: I ended up in the back of a police van at Wythall Carnival! It was great to see the community come together and for the local police to be a big part of that.

Bottom left: I visited Wellington police station in Telford & Wrekin to welcome and talk to brand new student officers.

Bottom right: I spent some time with West Mercia Search and Rescue to understand their work supporting the emergency services.

New Chief Constable confirmed in post

I am pleased to have appointed Anthony Bangham as the new Chief Constable of West Mercia Police.

You may recall I nominated Anthony for the post last month. That nomination was ratified by West Mercia’s Police and Crime Panel earlier this month following a thorough, open and competitive recruitment process.

An effective, efficient police service will be vital in achieving my vision for a safer West Mercia.

There is a big challenge ahead to transform the force, making it more modern, responsive and visible. It will require exceptional leadership to lead the organisation through this process and make the most of new opportunities.

Firearms and Task Force Visit

Earlier this month I spent time with West Mercia Police’s Task Force and Firearms Training schools, and was reassured by the resources that are in place.

The Task Force support local policing teams, providing a wide range of specialist skills including: support to major operations including Royal or VIP visits, the transportation of high risk prisoners, or specialist search skills. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be deployed across the West Mercia force area.

I was pleased to see the exceptional work the task force are doing to protect the public. Whilst West Mercia is a safe place to live, I find it reassuring that these officers have the skills, training and equipment to deal with any major incident.

Task Forces are not always the public face of policing, but I am also reassured to see the work that goes on behind the scenes every day to keep our communities safe.

I also spent time with Inspector Ian Williams, from the West Mercia Police Firearms Training School, observing the training resources and equipment in place, to equip those in an armed response role.

West Mercia is a safe place to live, where incidents involving firearms are rare, and incidents where a weapon is discharged are rarer still. It is still important that West Mercia officers have the resources in place to keep the public safe.

I made a commitment for a more reassured West Mercia and having seen the firearms training facilities first hand it is very encouraging to see that those who are in a difficult armed response role are given the time and resources to practice potential scenarios, ensuring they are fully prepared before going out into our communities.

Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC)

Earlier this month a Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC) was re-launched at Redditch Magistrates' court, to deal with domestic abuse offences committed in Worcestershire, after I pushed for this to be reinstated.

I'm committed to ensuring that domestic abuse survivors are given the best possible support, throughout their journey through the criminal justice system. The Special Domestic Violence Court is a good step forward in achieving this, and is something that I would like to see rolled out further throughout West Mercia.

The court will bring together specially trained police officers, prosecutors, court service staff, probation officers as well as Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) who will all have had specialist training and will work together in order to support victims of domestic abuse.

John's Diary

To view a more comprehensive version of the PCC's diary click here

6th September: Meeting with Crimestoppers

7th September: Meeting representative from West Mercia Rape and Sexual Assault Centre

7th September: Meeting to discuss West Mercia Police Mobile Working

8th September: Meeting with West Mercia Police Head of Intelligence

9th September: Visit to Worcester Policing Area - Worcester

12th September: Meeting Shropshire Councillors - Shropshire

12th September: Visiting Neighbourhood Watch - Teme Valley

13th September: Visiting Forge Short Stay School - Redditch

13th September: Wellington Town Council meeting - Wellington

14th September: Visit to TACT (Telford After Care Team) to discuss alcohol and drugs recovery - Telford

14th September: Visit to Axis Counselling

14th September: Meeting Telford & Wrekin Council Leader

14th September: Visit to Energise (County Sports Partnership) - Shrewsbury

15th September: Visiting St Pauls Hostel - Worcester

16th September: Out with West Mercia Police Tasking Teams

18th September: Visiting Bewdley Mayors Civic Service and Parade - Bewdley

19th September: Meeting with GenderfreeDV

20th September: Visiting Kidderminster and District Youth Trust - Kidderminster

21st September: Waters Upton Parish Council Meeting - Waters Upton

22nd September: Telford Council Meeting - Telford

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Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner, West Mercia · PO Box 487 · Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6WB · United Kingdom