Drop in crime marks police anniversary

West Mercia Constabulary has celebrated its 40th anniversary year as one of the top performing police forces in England and Wales.

Its annual report - shortly to be launched on the internet - spells out the success story of getting recorded crimes at their lowest level for nine years.

It aslo highlights the way in which West Mercia has combined good value for money with grassroots policing and dealing with major crime.

The report, approved yesterday by West Mercia Police Authority, says £2.9 million was invested in the force in 2007.

It adds: "Visible and accessible policing is now provided on a consistent basis via our network of 145 local policing teams.

The report also praises the dedication of police officers, civilian staff and volunteers for helping their communities during the summer floods which caused so much misery in Shropshire.

And it highlights the "selfless and courageous actions" of Constable Ricky Gray, shot dead while protecting unarmed colleagues and the public from a man armed with a rifle in a domestic dispute in Shrewsbury in May 2007.

The report says there were 2.5 per cent fewer crimes recorded in 2007/08 than the previous year.

House burglaries, however, showed a 12.1 per cent rise - from 3,260 to 3,654 over the force area.

Paul Deneen, of Ross-on-Wye, was unanimously re-elected as police authority chair yesterday, with Margaret Winckler, a Shropshire county councillor from Bridgnorth, as vice-chair.

Mr Deneen said: "The collective efforts of everyone who works for West Mercia have made a real difference to the quality of countless people's lives in recent times.

"We thank them for their commitment and dedication to providing first class policing services to their local communities."

* The report will soon be published on www.westmerciapoliceauthority.gov.uk

By Peter Johnson