West Midlands PCC vows to recruit more police during his second year in office - The Solihull Observer

West Midlands PCC vows to recruit more police during his second year in office

Solihull Editorial 16th May, 2022   0

RECRUTING more police officers is on the agenda as the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) enters his second year in office.

Simon Foster pledged to rebuild community policing by pledging an additional 450 police officers before he was elected last year.

Mr Foster said the officers would be allocated to community policing, to prevent and tackle crime and to keep people, their families and communities safe and secure.

The PCC’s office say so far Mr Foster has already ensured West Midlands Police appointed 211 extra neighbourhood police officers since he was voted in.




Mr Foster, said: “Representing the people of the West Midlands is an honour and a privilege.

“I take the trust and responsibility placed in me by the people of the West Midlands very seriously.


“It drives me on to take the action that is required to ensure our police force is the best it can possibly be, in order to prevent and tackle crime and to keep people, their families and communities safe and secure.”

Over the past 12 months Mr Foster has created his West Midlands Police and Crime Plan, with help from residents, businesses and organisations.

The plan outline plans to double the number of specialist advocates available to support domestic and sexual abuse victims, establish a new service for victims of hate crime and expand a drug treatment programme to reduce shoplifting

He has also overseen the work of the Violence Prevention Reduction Unit, which aims to prevent and tackle violent crime by focusing on prevention, early intervention and its underlying causes

The PCC said: “Significant progress has been made in my first year. I am grateful to the team around me for delivering at such pace.

“However, the year ahead will be busier still as we continue to commit ourselves to constant and unremitting action to prevent and tackle crime, ensure perpetrators are held to account via the criminal justice system and victims of crime are able to access the right support services at the right time.”

Car crime continues to surge as thieves respond to the news that the value of new and second-hand motors and car parts is rising. The PCC said he will confront this head on with a campaign targeting manufacturers, auction sites and law makers.

Top of the PCC’s in-tray, is the successful recruitment of a new Chief Constable, after Sir David Thompson, steps down.

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