West Mercia PCC Newsletter – September 2026

Thank you,

John Campion

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

Bereaved mother waits longer for justice to be served than offender gets behind bars 

Twenty-eight months. That’s how long Leanne Vaughan had to wait for justice after her 17-year-old daughter Lily-May was killed on a local road. Yet the driver responsible for her death could be freed after just 21 months. That’s the reality of the early prisoner release scheme for victims.

This is neither morally right nor acceptable. It does not represent justice.

This is why myself, Leanne, and so many others across the country are calling on the Government to think again about the impact of the early release scheme on victims, for their voices to be heard, and that ‘causing death by dangerous driving’ be excluded from early release arrangements.

The letter informing Leanne of the offender’s release was nothing short of devastating. In an instant, it reopened old wounds and forced her family to once again confront the loss of a daughter they continue to mourn every day.

Leanne told me: “It feels as though the justice we waited so long for is being taken away from us.”

We are in unprecedented times. Our criminal justice system is on the brink of collapse, and the attempt to fix this is to release offenders with time outstanding into our communities.

Whilst I recognise the pressures the system is facing, victims and bereaved families, like Leanne, cannot be forgotten and their voices need to be heard.

Victims should be treated with dignity, respect and compassion, and their experiences should be helping to inform future discussions around sentencing, release arrangements and support for those affected by crime.

Have your say on communication with West Mercia Police

You know I value hearing from you, and this is another chance for you to have your say.

Next month I will be meeting with the Chief Constable for my latest Public Assurance & Accountability meeting, where the focus will be on how you experience communication from West Mercia Police – what works, what doesn’t, and where improvements are needed.

Alongside speaking directly with communities across West Mercia and hearing from victims, I want to ensure your voice is heard too.

Please take a moment to complete my three‑minute anonymous survey before the deadline on midday on Wednesday 2 September.

Your feedback will help shape my discussion with the Chief Constable and support improvements in how the force communicates with you.

Tackling street racing in our communities

Concerns about street racing and anti-social behaviour on roads across West Mercia continue to be raised with me by local residents, and I am determined to ensure these concerns are listened to and addressed by the force. These behaviours are dangerous, disruptive and deeply frustrating for communities.

Most recently, officers from the Operational Policing Unit dispersed a meeting at Beckett’s Farm on Wythall Island following reports of excessive speed and heavy traffic, and further enforcement activity is under way across the force area.

So far in 2026, officers have made two arrests and secured three driving bans, with additional policing work expected to result in up to 30 more offenders being disqualified. One individual has also been charged with multiple offences, including dangerous driving, and is due to be sentenced at Crown Court later this year.

These outcomes demonstrate tenacious, proactive policing, focused on protecting the public.

While I am encouraged by the force’s continued focus, I recognise there is more to do to bring to justice the minority who endanger not only their own lives but the lives of others on our roads.

Tackling dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour requires sustained enforcement, strong partnership working and clear communication with communities.

I will continue to work closely with the Chief Constable to ensure this remains a policing priority and that officers have the resources and support they need to target those who put others at risk.

More than £275k forfeited in ongoing waste crime investigation

We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country, and those who seek to damage it should be brought to justice.

Through close collaboration with partner agencies – including the Environment Agency, DVSA and Wychavon District Council – West Mercia Police has been taking firm action against criminals involved in illegal waste activity.

This joint work has led to a series of warrants executed by specialist economic crime officers, supported by neighbourhood policing teams.

Two men have been arrested, and more than £275,000 linked to suspected waste crime has already been forfeited. These results demonstrate determined, intelligence‑led policing and strong partnership enforcement.

However, while this latest outcome is significant, the work does not stop there. Investigations remain ongoing, and similar operations are being carried out across the force area as part of wider efforts to disrupt organised criminality and protect our communities from environmental harm.

Tackling e-scooters being ridden on public roads
Four e‑scooters and one illegal motorised bike, totalling more than £2,000, have all been seized and sent to be crushed following a recent operation in Worcestershire.

I regularly hear from people living in our communities, who have been left upset and distressed by individuals causing anti-social behaviour whilst riding an e-scooter on public land and roads. This is not acceptable. No-one should live in fear.

As there are no legal schemes in place in West Mercia, e-scooters can only be ridden on private land with the permission of the land-owner.

The operation in Stourport and Kidderminster, that saw the e-scooters immediately taken off the streets, is just one example of the work being done across West Mercia to address this issue.

This is a clear reminder: if e-scooters are used on public land, the police will take action.

Specialist support for bereaved families

Crime devastates communities, leaving lasting harm for both those directly affected and the wider public.

The sudden death of a family member is unimaginable — and when that loss is linked to a crime, the weight is even harder to bear.

Having met families who have lost loved ones in road traffic collisions and other traumatic circumstances, I have seen first-hand the profound impact this has on those left behind.

To support these families, I am providing £10,000 in grant funding to the registered charity 2wish.

This will enable specialist bereavement support for families following the death of a child or young person aged 25 and under where the death is linked to crime.

This funding will help ensure families receive compassionate, expert support as they navigate their grief and the complexities of the criminal justice process.

Survivors of non-recent sexual abuse encourage others to come forward

The survivors of a sexual abuser who preyed upon them decades ago have encouraged others to report sex abuse after their attacker was convicted.

The two women, who have lifetime anonymity, spoke out to support other survivors of abuse to report offences to the police, if they have not been able to do so.

Their plea is to anyone who may have suffered, or knows of someone who has been subjected to, similar offences to them to speak to police. It follows the sentencing earlier this year of their abuser, Kirk Jacobson.

Jacobson, 47, of Bridstow, Ross-on-Wye, was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 and four counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14 years of age at Worcester Crown Court on 20 March.

Committed to supporting victims and witnesses, I fund specialist support delivered by Axis Counselling. Bringing together the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor and Independent Domestic Violence Advisor services.

The links below take you to more information and support, as well as how to report sexual abuse:

Young people given opportunity to shape the future of transport

Harm on our roads has a profound impact on families and communities across West Mercia.

Young people are often among those most directly affected, and they are also the ones who see first-hand where the problems lie.

I am therefore backing a new initiative that puts young people at the heart of improving transport and road safety across West Mercia.

I’ve contributed £8,000 to support the Young Drivers’ Commission, who are giving 17 to 24-year-olds from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire the opportunity to influence decisions that could help make journeys safer for everyone.

The Commission is looking for young people with first-hand experience of using the region’s transport networks, whether they are learning to drive, already behind the wheel, travelling by bus or train, or sharing lifts with friends.

Participants will work alongside road safety experts, gather the views of their peers, develop recommendations and present them directly to decision-makers.

The project aims to ensure young people’s voices help shape the future of transport and road safety.

Their insight is essential, and it must be heard, listened to and acted upon, with the Young Drivers’ Commission a powerful way to make that happen.

Welcoming the latest cohort of officers 

Making the decision to become a police officer is one of the biggest decisions someone can make in their life.

Transitioning from being a member of the public to someone who will hold unique powers is a big step, and one I always like to acknowledge. Whether that’s when they are beginning their journey as a new recruit, or when they are passing out and ready to serve local communities.

I am proud to have welcomed three new cohorts this past month into the West Mercia Police family, coming through the Police Constable Entry Programme, the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, and also Specials.

There are currently avenues open to join West Mercia Police as a police officer, or in equally valuable roles working as police staff.

Click the button below for more information.

Find out some of the work West Mercia Police is doing by clicking your local policing area.