West Mercia Police rated 'Good' for efficiency despite concerns over 101 service

But the 2017 Peel Report found that the force is experiencing pressures within its control rooms, leading to inefficiencies for call-handling and crime management, in particular with its 101 service.

It found that plans for new control rooms were in place, calling the developments "timely".

Overall the force was rated "good" for its efficiency, which it said keeps people safe and reduces crime.

The force covers an area of 2,860 square miles including Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin in which 1.24 million people live.

Today West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion welcomed the report, calling it a "pleasing reflection" of his views on the force.

The report outlined a number of positives in the ways in which the force understands its demand, makes use of its resources and plans for demand in the future.

The force was also praised for the way in which it understands "hidden harms" such as modern day slavery, human trafficking and radicalisation and analyses trends in public demand.

Areas for improvement were highlighted around the 101 service, and understanding the demand of protective and investigative policing work.

The report said: "West Mercia Police has a good understanding of current and likely future demand.

"Forthcoming developments include the introduction of new control rooms, supported by advances in technology that include new command and control, intelligence and mobile data systems. These developments are timely because the force is experiencing difficulties with its current call-handling performance, especially 101 calls, meaning that some callers may be exposed to harm, of which the alliance may never become aware.

"The force exposes itself to external scrutiny to provide further validation and it engages with its workforce well, allowing officers and staff to influence future changes. There is a strong commitment to leadership development and the force’s new approach to talent management offers a good opportunity to identify and develop the most talented members of its workforce."

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I promised to deliver a police service which works efficiently for the communities of West Mercia, and this report is a pleasing reflection of what I see on a day to day basis, although clear improvements can still be made.

"The investments I have made to reform West Mercia Police through technology, will continue to make West Mercia Police more efficient, improving the service to the public and ensuring our communities get the help they need at the right time. We have good foundations to build on, and I am reassured that the police are committed to making further improvement.”