HEREFORDSHIRE residents feel police presence is improving according to West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

The public expects West Mercia Police to be visible and accessible in their community.

And after delivering record numbers of police officers across West Mercia, including the number operating out of the station in Ross-on-Wye, Commissioner John Campion has continued to focus on ensuring the benefits of this investment are felt.

According to the commissioner’s latest quarterly perceptions survey, there has been a significant six per cent increase in the number of respondents who see a police community support officer or police officer at least once a week in the county, reaching 19 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The public’s confidence in West Mercia Police has remained stable at 80 per cent in the county, and more than six out of 10 Herefordshire residents feel the force is doing a good or excellent job. This marks a four per cent increase on the same quarter last year.

But other key findings suggest that people feel the least informed about what West Mercia Police is doing in their local area (46 per cent).

However, local residents are least likely to agree that the force understands the issues in their community (six per cent)

People living in Herefordshire felt their area was the safest out of the three counties in West Mercia.

Mr Campion said: “I promised to deliver more police officers and ensure communities feel the benefit of that investment. These figures show we’re moving in the right direction, with more people seeing officers regularly and confidence remaining high.

“There’s still work to do, particularly around keeping people informed and understanding local concerns, but I’m committed to making sure Herefordshire feels safer and better connected to its police force.”