WEST Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed two major laws to strengthen public safety.

THE Crime and Policing Act introduces wide‑ranging measures designed to strengthen policing.

For West Mercia Police, this includes enhanced powers to tackle some of the public’s priorities including – shoplifting, knife crime and violence against women and girls.

Alongside this, the Victims and Courts Bill will improve the experience for victims and witnesses going through the criminal justice system.

Commissioner Campion said: “Two central pillars of my safer communities plan are cutting crime and supporting victims and witnesses.

“I have heard loud and clear from the public that they want the law to reflect the modern-day challenges facing policing and the criminal justice system.

“But we are often limited by national legislation and resource pressures. That’s why these two laws are a welcome step forward, but it cannot end there.

“The whole system from policing to the courts, needs to be prioritised when it comes to how resources are allocated. It’s vital the Government not only presses forward with strengthening the law, but it must also look at how it funds the services it expects to deliver them.”

Additionally specialist 4x4 vehicles designed to improve police capability in rural areas are now serving West Mercia’s communities, which includes Ross-on-Wye, to combat its poaching problem.

The two new vehicles which have been funded by Commissioner Campion, the vehicles will help officers access areas that standard police cars struggle with, including bridleways, farm tracks, uneven ground and locations where road conditions can slow or prevent a quick response.

This investment is another step forward in delivering a key priority within the commissioner’s Safer Communities Plan that supports rural communities to be safe and feel safe.