Public satisfaction with West Mercia Police has seen a notable lower in each Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, in keeping with the most recent notion survey figures launched by Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion.
The survey, overlaying the interval of October to December 2024, revealed that the proportion of residents ranking West Mercia Police’s efficiency of their space as “wonderful” or “good” has fallen in comparison with the identical interval within the earlier yr (October to December 2023).
In Shropshire, simply over half of respondents (55%) gave a ranking of “wonderful” or “good” in late 2024, a major drop from 64% in late 2023 – representing a lower of virtually 10 share factors.
Telford & Wrekin additionally noticed a decline, with 58% of residents ranking the service as “wonderful” or “good” within the latest survey, down from 63% the earlier yr, a drop of 5 share factors.
Perceptions of police visibility different throughout the 2 areas. Shropshire residents reported seeing officers or PCSOs much less regularly, with solely 15% saying they noticed them at the least as soon as every week, down from 19% in 2023. Conversely, Telford & Wrekin residents felt policing was barely extra seen, with the determine rising from 19% to twenty%.
Total confidence within the pressure remained excessive in Telford & Wrekin at 82%, mirroring the earlier yr’s determine and remaining above the 80% determine for your complete pressure space. Nonetheless, confidence dipped in Shropshire, falling 3 share factors from 79% to 76%, which is 4 share factors under the force-wide common.
Regardless of the dip in satisfaction and confidence in Shropshire, different points of policing obtained extra constructive suggestions:
– Residents in each Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin reported feeling 1% extra knowledgeable in regards to the actions of West Mercia Police.
– Confidence in having the ability to contact the pressure in an emergency elevated in each areas: from 89% to 90% in Shropshire and from 89% to 92% in Telford & Wrekin.
– A excessive proportion of residents in each areas felt their locality was protected through the survey interval, with 90% in Shropshire and 87% in Telford & Wrekin reporting feeling protected.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion acknowledged the survey outcomes, stating, “Whereas it’s good residents really feel protected and capable of contact West Mercia Police in an emergency, the drop in satisfaction ranges is a priority and one I will likely be assembly with the Chief Constable to handle.”
Mr Campion emphasised the significance of the surveys in informing efficiency discussions and guaranteeing the pressure addresses public priorities. He added, “I’ve been clear in my West Mercia Safer Communities Plan that I need to put policing again into the center of the group, and I’m unrelenting in my focus to seeing a higher police presence on the town centres and supporting our rural communities.”
The PCC indicated that these survey findings could be central to approaching conferences with the Chief Constable to determine causes for the decline in satisfaction and develop methods for enchancment.
