JUST one in five Herefordshire residents see a police officer on a weekly basis, according to figures released last week by West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

In the PCC’s latest Public Confidence and Perceptions Survey, overall 82 per cent of those surveyed in Herefordshire said they feel confident they would receive a good service from West Mercia Police.

Other key findings of the survey include:

Across the policing areas, the vast majority (94 per cent) said that West Mercia Police have their support and 89 per cent said they trust the force.

21 per cent of those surveyed in Herefordshire say they see an officer or PCSO at least once a week which is the lowest in West Mercia

Across the policing areas, nearly three quarter of people felt West Mercia Police understand issues affecting their community.

Across the policing areas, 69 per cent perceiving no change in levels of crime over the last year, despite an increase in reports.

Commissioner John Campion said “I want our communities to be safe and feel safe, and to have confidence that West Mercia Police will provide the service they need when they need it. In recent years we have recruited significant additional officers who are now policing on our streets.

“This survey paints a positive picture and I commend officers and staff for their collective effort to build and improve relationships with the public, and their ongoing commitment to make the service better.

“However Herefordshire has seen the lowest percentage of visibility of officers across West Mercia showing there are still improvements that can be made. I am working with West Mercia Police to see the visibility and accessibility of officers in Herefordshire improve.”

Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss said: “Following the launch of our Local Community Policing Charter, I am pleased to see growing levels of confidence from our communities, but we are not complacent.  Policing nationally has had a challenging time, and we are committed to building trust across our three counties.”

To view the survey visit www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/public-confidence-and-perceptions-survey-results/