Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch County, has welcomed West Mercia Police’s transformation programme which will result in more police officers patrolling our streets.
Following a consultation with officers, and after extensive research and analysis of shift patterns, the force is looking at ways to best match their resources to the demand from the public.
This work is part of West Mercia Police’s wider transformation programme which is identifying and delivering more efficient working practices.
As a result, the force has identified new shift patterns for response officers, which means there will be more resources available during the busier afternoons and evenings.
West Mercia Police will be moving to the new shift patents on 8 April 2018. The force has said the changes will result in a better service and greater protection for staff.
Although at quieter times of the day there will be fewer response officers available, neighbourhood officers and specialist operational units will provide support during these times.
Alongside these changes to shift patterns, the Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion, and Chief Constable, Anthony Bangham, have committed to protecting officer numbers within the current teams of neighbourhood Police Constables and Police Community Support Officers for the next financial year. Any vacancies will also be filled as possible.
The force is now confident the changes will mean residents should expect to see an increase in the visibility of officers patrolling our communities. The roll out in new technology now allows officers to perform far more tasks away from the station.
At the end of last year, the Government also announced West Mercia Police’s Commissioner will be able to increase police funding by £6.3million.
Rachel said: “I know how important it is to Redditch residents that police officers are there when they need them. That’s why West Mercia Police’s transformation programme is great news for our town.
“As well as our police force receiving more funding, residents should expect to see more police officers out patrolling our streets over the next few months.
“Every day our brave police officers risk their lives to protect us and to keep us all safe and I can’t thank them enough for everything they do.”