West Mercia Police boss vows not to cut officer numbers
The number of police officers in the region will be retained despite fears to the contrary, says West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner.
John Campion has insisted his budget proposals for the coming year outline that he is committed to retaining the number of police officers in the region.
Following claims that the number of officers in Shropshire is due to be cut as part of new plans, John Campion has insisted his new budget is committed to keep the number of police officers up.
Two serving police officers claimed numbers were to be cut, and it would cause a "devastating" effect across the county.
However after the force rubbished the claims, Mr Campion has done the same and insisted he is committed to protecting the number of PCs and PCSOs.
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"However that has absolutely no connection to numbers of police officers allocated to particular areas.
"It is purely and simply about making sure that there are more officers on shift, at the times when demand is highest. This is an operational decision, taken by the Chief Constable which I fully support.”
“Our communities want policing resources focused where they matter most – on the frontline.
"My budget proposals for the coming year deliver that.
"A greater proportion of resources will be focused in our communities and on our streets.
"That includes a commitment to protect our numbers of PCs and PCSOs”.
Two serving officers, who do not wish to be named, have raised concerns about the changes. One officer has claimed that in April there is a plan to reduce the number of officers in stations around the county.
The officer claimed the reductions would be in Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Market Drayton, with a 25 per cent cut, along with cuts in support.
One serving police officer said: “Personally I am appalled. If challenged, the police will try to dress this up as efficiency savings and ‘agile’ working. The fact will remain, officer numbers will be reduced.
“This will have a serious and damaging affect on the public and on individual police officers. We are already stretched to breaking point, with poor morale, and stress of an overburdened cohort of officers.”
However West Mercia Police admitted changes would be made, but insisted numbers would not be cut. It said changes are being made to provide more resources during busier times.
