999 calls to West Mercia Police up by almost 50 per cent over New Year
Police saw a rise of almost 50 per cent in 999 calls over the New Year as the force responded to more 8,000 incidents over the Christmas period.
West Mercia Police officers took 8,203 calls over the Christmas period, dealing with 2,086 crimes, of which 829 were violent crimes.
And between 5pm on New Year's Eve and 7am on New Year's Day, there was a 48 per cent rise in 999 demand and a 21 per cent increase in non-emergency call volume on last year.
The force says this could be down to New Year's Eve being on a weekend this year, as opposed to a working day/weekend in 2016.
The peak hour for New Year 2017/18 was midnight to 1am, when a call was received every 27 seconds.
Every 999 and non-emergency call was answered within target.
In Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, an officer was injured after being assaulted on Boxing Day while three others were assaulted but not injured over the Christmas period.
Commissioner John Campion said “On a day when many people are returning to work, refreshed after spending time with family and friends, it’s important to take the time to thank those who have spent their Christmas break, protecting and helping others."
