More about this area
The force says...
The West Midlands is a predominantly urban area covering the cities of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry and the districts of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall.
The population is over 2.8 million people, with 35% of its population from ethnic minority backgrounds, a high demographic of young people as well as 46% of the population living in some of the most deprived wards in the country.
The force deals with transnational policing issues with 20.55% arrests made in 2016/17 related to foreign nationals, an increase in previous figures.
The area faces some of the most significant terrorism and extremism challenges in the country and the force is a major contributor to national counter-terrorism policing. The force also faces significant challenges in organised crime and leads in the operation of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service.
The force is focused upon local policing with 8 neighbourhood policing units, covering 170 neighbourhoods. The model embodies a determined approach to prevent crime and disorder through intervention and prevention, connecting with communities and building social capital. The force is also focused upon improving its approach to protecting the vulnerable, reducing violence and increasing confidence.
The force is three and a half years into a strategic partnership with Accenture to deliver its WMP2020 policing vision. Now in its second major phase, significant technical and organisational changes continue to deliver more efficient services to the public against a backdrop of sustained financial challenge resulting in a workforce reduction of 24% since 2010. The programme continues to deliver further innovative digital and mobile capability to front line officers, alongside more efficient and intelligent operational systems and an enhanced work environment.
The WMP2020 programme is underpinned by strong values of fairness, leadership and legitimacy to maintain its ambition to prevent crime, protect the public and help those in need.
Disclaimer: the above statement has been prepared by West Midlands Police. The views and information in it are not necessarily those of HMICFRS.