Overview

• The force is recruiting 29 additional officers—five rural crime constables, two sergeants and 20 PCSOs—to bolster neighbourhood and community teams across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
• Chief Constable Richard Cooper said postings are guided by data and intelligence to deploy officers where crime and community needs are highest.
• Neighbourhood officers have been deliberately shielded from emergency response duties to ensure they remain embedded in their local communities.
• From the end of September the force will consolidate its current five Local Policing Areas into two to standardise service delivery and improve response times.
• This latest intake builds on a record 2023/24 recruitment drive and aligns with the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and the West Mercia Safer Communities Plan.