West Mercia PCC Newsletter – August 2026

This month’s edition includes my thoughts around what I’d like Prime Minister Andy Burnham to do to ensure you get the policing service you want and deserve, the latest ONS figures around police performance, updates on action being taken to tackle serious and organised crime, the return of a popular road safety course, and much more.

Read on to find out more!

Thank you,

John Campion

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

Overall crime falls across West Mercia – but serious offences against women continue to rise 

The latest crime statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal a mixed picture for West Mercia.

While overall crime continues to fall, there are concerning increases in some of the most serious offences that disproportionately affect women and girls.

In the year to March 2026, recorded incidents of stalking and harassment rose by 11%, while sexual offences increased by 8%.

These trends mirror growing national concerns around violence against women and girls and underline the need for continued action.

There is, however, positive news. Overall recorded crime across West Mercia fell by 1%, with several high-volume offences continuing their downward trend. Significant reductions were seen in:

• Vehicle crime: down 23%
• Public order offences: down 9%
• Theft offences: down 9%
• Shoplifting: down 7%
• Burglary: down 7%

While any reduction in crime is welcome, the continued rise in offences such as stalking, harassment and sexual crime is deeply troubling. Victims deserve to feel safe, and perpetrators must be held to account.

Police play a vital role in responding to reports, carrying out thorough investigations and bringing offenders to justice. I will continue to both support and challenge the Chief Constable to ensure the strongest possible response to these crimes.

My commitment remains clear: to invest in prevention, early intervention and high-quality support for victims, while making sure resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact and help keep our communities safe as detailed in my Safer Communities Plan.

Jog on campaign tackling harassment of female joggers 

In the most recent 12 months (to June 2026), there have been 3,393 reported incidents of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) harassment offences. This has increased by 0.4% on the previous year and makes up 17% of all reported VAWG offences.

With tackling violence against women and girls a key priority for myself and the force, I’m in full support of the Jog On campaign from West Mercia Police and the University of Worcester to tackle the harassment of female joggers and have provided funding (£6,763) to support the delivery of the campaign.

The campaign challenges unacceptable behaviour through enforcement action against offenders and education aimed at changing behaviours in Worcestershire, with plans for the initiative to be rolled out more widely across the West Mercia Police force area in the coming months.
In a sad irony, there have been a number of offensive and derogatory remarks posted on social media in response to the recent enforcement operation, which have clearly demonstrated the scale of the problem.
Though disheartening, this behaviour hardens my resolve to work even harder with the force and partner organisations to continue to address and callout this inappropriate, misogynistic behaviour and, where necessary, take tougher enforcement action to send the strongest of messages to those individuals who still think this type of behaviour is acceptable.

Tackling Serious and Organised Crime 

The three operations detailed below and subsequent arrests and seizures, demonstrate just some of the ongoing work taking place across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Telford & Wrekin to disrupt organised crime groups and protect local communities.

Working with partners to tackle organised immigration crime

During Operation Lockstream from 15 – 20 June, officers from West Mercia Police joined partner agencies as part of a national crackdown on Organised Immigration Crime (OIC).

The operation targeted businesses and criminal networks that often prey on vulnerable people by facilitating illegal entry into the UK, exposing them to dangerous journeys and exploitation.

These included high street grey or gig economy hotspots including nail salons, car washes, barbers and vape shops, as well as fast food and delivery drivers.

Nationally, 362 arrests were made and more than £1 million seized in cash. In West Mercia, results included several arrests and action taken to protect road users.

• Read more about Op Lockstream and the local results here.

Seven arrests during police operation linked to modern day slavery

Just days later, West Mercia Police carried out another significant operation linked to modern slavery, human trafficking, burglary and drug supply offences.

Seven people were arrested following a two-year investigation led by the force’s Child Exploitation Team, which focused on protecting vulnerable children and tackling criminal activity affecting rural communities.

• You can read more about that operation here.
• Watch the police operation here.

Multiple arrests following warrants linked to drugs supply

On 8 July, a major operation led by West Mercia Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit resulted in nine arrests following a nine-month investigation into organised criminality.

Supported by Dyfed-Powys Police, officers executed 14 warrants across the force area targeting suspected involvement in drug production, money laundering, human trafficking and immigration offences.

The operation uncovered four cannabis farms containing around 300 plants, along with 15kg of cannabis, £20,000 in cash and 16 vehicles believed to be linked to criminal activity.

• Read more about the operation here.

Operations such as these are planned and carried out throughout the year across West Mercia and I remain committed to supporting the Chief Constable in delivering this vital work, whilst ensuring victims of exploitation, substance misuse and other serious offences receive the support they need.
As well as enforcement action from the force, I provide funding to support victims and help them take the steps they need to break free from an environment or individual who is causing them harm.

One arrest and vehicles seized in rural crime operation

Protecting rural communities and disrupting criminal activity is a key priority in my Safer Communities Plan, and a recent multi-agency operation on the Worcestershire/West Midlands border delivered positive results in support of that commitment.

Officers from West Mercia Police’s Rural Crime Team joined partner agencies for Operation Cayenne on Friday 24 July, using Hopwood Services at Junction 2 of the M42 as a base to target vehicles linked to rural and organised crime.

Intelligence suggests criminal groups use routes between the West Midlands and Worcestershire to commit offences including theft, fly-tipping and waste crime, making the location a key focus for enforcement activity.

Working alongside Roads Policing officers, Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Trading Standards, HMRC and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, officers used ANPR technology and proactive patrols to identify vehicles of interest and tackle criminality on the road network.

The operation resulted in 22 vehicles being stopped, with a 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of drug driving. Three vehicles were also seized for offences including having no tax, no insurance or being unroadworthy, while a number of traffic offence reports were issued and drivers were given road safety advice.

But the work doesn’t stop there, with around a third of West Mercia’s population living in rural areas, this action represents just the surface of ongoing investigation work happening across West Mercia 24/7.

What’s needed for policing from Prime Minister Andy Burnham

I welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision last week to pause the Government’s early release scheme, which would have seen thousands of offenders across England and Wales eligible for release sooner than planned.

I have repeatedly and consistently called for the Government to reconsider this scheme, so pausing it is absolutely the right decision.

He’s also spoken about giving communities greater powers to make decisions at a local level – which is of course welcome – but the public both needs to and has a right to hear now how this will be delivered.

As major changes to the governance of policing are taking place, I would like to see the Prime Minister set out clearly and quickly how a Mayoral system will be introduced by 2028 in the area covered by West Mercia and those similar to it.
It’s vital this is fully ironed out now, so that you, the public, have clarity on what the model will look like and how it will ensure strong, accountable leadership focused on delivering the policing service communities rightly expect and deserve.

Popular road safety course for mature drivers returns 

Mature motorists remain one of the cohorts most at risk of harm on West Mercia’s roads. In 2025, 22 people were killed and 79 seriously injured in road traffic collisions where the driver was over 65 years of age. (See graphic below for full breakdown). Determined to get these figures down, I have provided £15,000 to help subsidise a popular road safety course for a second year in a row.

The course is specifically designed for more mature drivers, providing them with the support and advice they need to understand what they’re doing well and what they can adjust to keep themselves and others safe.

My funding will enable a £55 discount for each participant, enabling approximately 380 people to sign up for just £30 instead of the usual £85.
The subsidised course will be available to book from September onwards, with details of how to sign-up shared via Neighbourhood Matters over the coming weeks.
If you haven’t done so already, you can sign up to Neighbourhood Matters here –  Neighbourhood Matters | West Mercia Police
Here, you’ll be able to find out more about not just the upcoming mature driver courses but also policing activity in your local area.

APCC Tracey Onslow visited Malinsgate Police Station at the start of July to talk to officers about the ongoing work around the distribution of domestic abuse SmartTag sprays as part of a targeted effort to support those at high risk from current or former partners. The spray delivers an invisible, long-lasting liquid that marks individuals without direct contact.

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