West Mercia Police Local Policing Changes

Hello, I’m Inspector James Ashton of the North Herefordshire and Malvern Hills Safer Neighbourhood Team and I’d like to tell you about some positive changes we’ve made to the organisation of West Mercia Police.

On Monday (19 January) the force changed the way it organises and delivers local policing to make sure services continue to meet the needs of local communities. 

As part of these transitions, Herefordshire and Worcestershire has gone from being two local policing areas to a combined one (Herefordshire & Worcestershire). That has allowed us to align the similar areas across the two counties to provide the best possible service.

This new structure is designed to strengthen resilience, improve coordination and ensure resources are focused where they are needed most. 

Our communities will continue to receive the same level of service from their Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), where we have recently seen an uplift in officer numbers.

The force has operated under its current structure since 2018, and feedback from the public has highlighted several ways to enhance how it functions and meets demand.

The planned investment supports the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Communities Plan and contributes to the national Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, helping ensure policing remains visible, accessible and responsive.  

The updated operating model is expected to provide a stable, long-term framework that better supports officers and staff, adapts to evolving demands and maintains a high standard of service for the public. 

I look forward to engaging with our communities as we continue our duties to protect and serve the residents of North Herefordshire and the Malvern Hills area.