Summary

West Mercia is a large rural area and local crime trends indicated that an integrated strategy was required, working alongside partners to more effectively tackle the issues. Following implementation results are encouraging leading to improved performance.

Identifying the problem

Huge rural area, widespread offending made tackling offenders difficult. No integrated strategy to tackle issues

Consequences

Increasing crime trends – all areas acquisitive crime. No Crime prevention strategy. No materials / equipment to target offenders. Porous borders with other forces.

Legislation changes - Existing

Not Applicable

Legislation changes - New

Not Applicable

Actions

By working with partners developed a comprehensive rural and business crime strategy. Involved communities, business, cross border forces, internal statutory bodies and third sector.

The strategic plan is under pinned by a tactical plan and budgetary programme that support it and facilitate delivery across all areas

 

What worked

Engagement with partners to deliver it

 

What didn't work

Ambitious timescales to get things completed – after the plan was written – things progressed quicker than expected so some parts were taken out of order.

Outcomes

Problems solved – by restructuring the plan to work around the out of sync parts. These parts were then put back into the plan later.

West Mercia Police – Business Crime Strategy

West Mercia Police – Rural Crime Strategy

Lessons learnt

Plan for tactical elements sooner, put in place budget streams sooner and not change managers half way through.