Police criticised by council over lack of response

Town councillors complained police were not responding on several matters

Complaints that police are not responding to calls have been made by councillors at a Ludlow town council meeting.

One councillor, Robert Hall, said he had reported three incidents to West Mercia Police and got “nothing back whatsoever”.

John Campion, West Mercia police and crime commissioner, and Insp Damien Kelly attended the meeting to listen to the criticisms.

Insp Kelly said the police team was fully-staffed in Ludlow and insisted officers were in frequent contact with the town clerk.

Hall said: “I have dealt with several police forces over the years, and West Mercia seem to be one of the worst with a lack of response.”

Councillor Viv Parry said there had been no police presence at town council meetings for months.

But Campion said if anyone felt they had not had the service they wanted over the phone, he was happy to listen back to the call.

“The police get 10,000 calls a week and some of them are not going to be handled well because they are a human-based service," he said.

“If anyone is told by the 101 service to report it online, then there has been a misunderstanding or miscommunication.

“If they are talking to you, they should take down the information and record it so it goes on the same system.

“If you have been a victim of crime, you should get the right updates.”

Insp Kelly added the force was aware of the "issue of drugs", like in any major town.

“Our approach varies depending on the area," he said. "We’ve got our local organised crime team based in Shrewsbury who frequently work to tackle drugs in the town.

“One thing we can do better though is telling you what we’re doing.”

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