Conservative Government failing to deliver promised extra West Mercia police officers

Analysis of Home Office statistics by the Liberal Democrats has shown that a total of 174 extra officers have been recruited by West Mercia Police under the Government's uplift programme that started in September 2019.

It also reveals that West Mercia Police actually went backwards in the last three months, losing 23 officers between March and June.

To meet the Conservatives' own target of 311 by March 2023, the recruitment rate would have to increase to 15 per month over the final nine months of the programme.

Telford & Wrekin's Liberal Democrats have slammed the government for failing to keep their promise to communities, adding that there needs to be a return to full and proper community policing.

Responding to the figures, Thomas Janke, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for The Wrekin said:

"People in our area being let down and taken for granted by this Conservative Government. With so many local crimes going unsolved, we desperately need more police on our streets and in our communities.

"Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and known personally to local people."

"The Conservatives' pledge to boost police officer numbers looks set to become yet another of their broken promises. They are letting down victims of crime and our communities right across our area."