WEST Mercia Police has been named as one of the top performing forces in the country.

The force, recently assessed by HMIC (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary), received promising results in several categories.

It has been rated as good for confidence and satisfaction, solving crimes, reducing crime, local policing, visible presence in neighbourhoods, reducing road death and injury and meeting the standards of the Policing Pledge.

The force has also been graded as excellent for preventing knife crime.

Deputy chief constable David Shaw said: “We welcome the HMIC report as a way for the public to understand the work we do to keep them safe and how well we are doing it.

“We feel a sense of satisfaction the HMIC has recognised West Mercia Police as one of the better performing forces in the country.

“This is testament to the hard work put in by all our officers and staff and to the support we receive from our partner agencies, local communities and the West Mercia Police Authority.”

HMIC inspects and regulates all 43 forces in England and Wales.

The force received no poor grades and was judged by national standards, to be a low-cost force.

Mr Shaw added: “However we are constantly seeking to improve; we never relax when it comes to trying to give the best service possible to local people, who we want to thank for the huge amount of support they give us.“

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