More about this area

The force says...

West Midlands is a predominantly urban area covering the cities of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry and districts of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall.

Home to a population of over 2.8 million, 35% from ethnic minority backgrounds, a high demographic of young people, low educational attainment and with 46% of the population living in the top 20% most deprived wards in the country. The link between high levels of poverty and vulnerability has a significant impact on demand for policing services, creating challenges for a workforce that has reduced by 25% since 2010.

Serious violence, particularly affecting young people, has increased significantly in 2018/19, and the area faces some of the most significant terrorism and extremism challenges in the country, with significant risk from organised crime. The force is working with partner agencies to address the vulnerability and exploitation resultant from this.

West Midlands collaborates with other forces and organisations to deliver specialist services and capabilities: Legal services, Counter Terrorism Unit, Central Motorway Policing Group and Collision Investigation Unit, Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Ballistics Intelligence Service.

The force delivers local policing with eight neighbourhood policing units, made up of 170 neighbourhoods. The model embodies a determined approach to prevent crime and disorder through intervention and prevention, connecting with communities and building social capital.

The force continues its innovation and integration partnership with Accenture to deliver its WMP2020 policing vision with significant technical investment. Further innovative digital and mobile capability to frontline officers, alongside more efficient and intelligent operational systems and an enhanced work environment, aims to deliver a more efficient service to the public against a backdrop of sustained financial challenge.

The force has strong values of fairness, leadership and legitimacy to maintain its ambition to prevent crime, protect the public and help those in need.

Disclaimer: the above statement has been prepared by West Midlands Police. The views and information in it are not necessarily those of HMICFRS.