People calling for more ‘Bobbies on the beat’ will be celebrating this Christmas as the news that the Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion is proposing to add a further 115 police officers to West Mercia’s ranks as part of future budget plans. The extra recruits would be additional to the PCC’s previous commitment to increase officer numbers.

While he could not confirm how many of these extra officers would be deployed in the Ross-on-Wye area, he said: “We can say with some certainty that there would be “something for everyone” in the additional capacity. Every community will see additional capacity, either directly or indirectly.”

If the proposals go ahead it will take West Mercia Police up to around 2,150 officers, the highestsince 2012. The plan is part of the Commissioner’s budget proposals for the coming years. The investment would be funded by an increase in central grant funding from Government, as well as an increase in council tax of around £1.63 per month for the average household in 2019/20.

John Campion said: “I have listened to feedback from our communities in West Mercia who have been very consistent: People want more police officers, and they want to see them out on the streets, tackling crime and keeping us safe.”

“I believe my budget proposals deliver on that. It ensures the additional capacity for our hard-working police to deliver an even better service to communities, as well as an increase in dedicated resources for rural crime. I promised I would ensure the public’s money is spent as efficiently as possible before asking for any more, and have delivered on that promise with the lowest council tax increases in England and Wales in the last two years. I hope the communities of West Mercia will support my proposals”.

A consultation on the draft budget has now started, and will close on January 20th, 2019. Details can be found at westmercia-pcc.gov.uk