West Mercia Police to cut 150 posts as part of budget plans

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion saw his budget plans backed by the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel earlier this month.

The proposal will see an increase in the amount people pay for policing as part of their council tax precept for 2025/56 - going up by £14 a year on average.

The budget includes around £5.5m in 'service level reduction', although Mr Campion said that the precept rise was one of the measures which would shield the force from more "harmful reductions".

Temporary Chief Constable, Richard Cooper, told the panel that the move to cut 150 posts had been designed not to impact on the service to the public.

Mr Campion said the lack of money meant they were having to consider measures that would not "ordinarily" be considered.

He said: "This year I think it is fair to say that there are some service level reductions recommended that if we had a choice we wouldn't be recommending them, but in the light of all the things we have to deal with as an organisation and as commissioner they are the things overall that we are happy to support."