‘PCC must be realistic about what Force can achieve’

27 March 2025

A bid by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to secure funding for an extra 150 police officers for the Force has been welcomed by West Midlands Police Federation.

But branch secretary Tim Rogers says the PCC must ensure that his own Police and Crime Plan, setting out his aims, must be realistic in terms of what the Force can achieve with the resources it has, not with the resources he would like it to have.

PCC Simon Foster has written to the Home Office to apply for the additional officers through the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, a £100 million pledge aiming to deliver 13,000 more officers nationwide.

He says the Force needs the extra officers so that he can rebuild neighbourhood policing.

Communities

Tim believes it’s crucial that the bid succeeds if the Force is to be able to meet the demands placed on it and the needs of the communities it serves.

“The previous government’s Police Uplift Programme was a success in that it boosted officer numbers nationwide by the end of March 2023, however, we are already struggling to maintain our numbers,” he says.

“There is a retention crisis within the police service nationally and we seem to be trapped in a revolving door situation whereby as fast as we recruit and bring in officers, we are seeing others leave.

“Part of the problem is that officers feel they are not recompensed fairly when you consider the dangers and challenges of the role. They are also under huge pressure as they seek to meet ever-growing demand without a corresponding increase in the number of boots on the ground.

“Despite the Police Uplift Programme, the Force has around 700 fewer officers and 500 fewer PCSOs than it did in 2010 and yet we have seen a considerable increase in both the volume and complexity of crime. But this has been exacerbated by the fact that the police service seems to have to pick up the gaps left by other public sector, private and charitable organisations that have been under pressure after the cuts of the austerity years.”

Tim says if the bid for the funding for the 150 officers is successful the Force must ensure they are used to increase police visibility in local communities, rather than being used to boost depleted response teams.

Investment

“Fundamentally, we need a guarantee that the police service will get the all-round investment it needs in all departments so that forces can deliver for the public,” he explains.

The PCC has highlighted what he calls ‘the deep and inexcusable unfairness’ of many other police force areas having more police officers than they have ever had in their force histories.

Mr Foster explains: “These 150 additional police officers are essential to fulfil my commitment to continue rebuilding neighbourhood policing.

“We need an accessible, reassuring and visible presence out on the streets to prevent and tackle crime, promote community safety and keep the people, families, businesses and communities of the West Midlands safe and secure.”

Tim concludes: “As a Federation, we couldn’t agree more, and we hope that this bid is successful. Sadly, these 150 officers will still not be enough, but they will definitely be a step in the right direction.”