Extra 150 officers to be deployed in West Midlands

The extra officers will work across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton

An additional 150 new police officers are set to be deployed across the West Midlands, after funding was secured from the Home Office.

In addition, West Midlands' police and crime commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster said 139 existing officers will also be redeployed into neighbourhood teams.

The officers will be deployed across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

A further 20 police community support officers (PCSOs) will also be taken on, according to a report to the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel.

The report said there will be 25 new officers in central Birmingham along with 23 redeployed, 30 new officers in the east of the city who will be joined by 28 who have been redeployed, and 25 new officers in the west of the city who will be joined by 23 redeployed.

There will be 12 new and 11 redeployed officers in Coventry, 10 new and 10 redeployed in Dudley, 14 new and 13 redeployed in Sandwell, 8 new and 7 redeployed in Solihull, 12 new and 11 redeployed in Walsall and 14 new and 13 redeployed in Wolverhampton.

'Reassurance presence'

"These additional and new police officers, allocated into neighbourhood policing, will contribute to improved justice, safety and security for our people and communities across the West Midlands," the report said.

At a previous meeting, Mr Foster said the additional officers were crucial, as police numbers had been severely cut over a number of years.

He said: "Increasing neighbourhood policing numbers is crucial for us because we still have around 700 fewer officers and 500 fewer PCSOs than we did back in 2010.

"That is despite many other forces having more police officers than they've ever had in their history.

"Something which is deeply inequitable and deeply unfair; it's inexcusable and unacceptable.

"This is a contribution towards righting that wrong. But we need that accessible and reassuring visible presence out on the streets keeping people, families, businesses and local communities safe."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.