More about this area

Staffordshire Police serves more than 1.13m people across 1,000 square miles covering both rural and urban areas. Staffordshire has some of the region’s busiest road networks, including the M6. Just over 16% of those living in Stoke-on-Trent identify as being from Black or ethnic minority backgrounds, compared to just over 6% of those living in the wider county.

Recorded crime continues to increase with the force dealing with 87,757 crimes in 2023 – an 11% increase since before the pandemic. Demands via emergency and non-emergency lines continue to grow, with around 600,000 calls being answered in 2023.

Staffordshire Police has the highest percentage of student officers (just under 28%), the fifth highest officer workload and the fourth lowest officer numbers when compared nationally.

The force operates a local policing model delivered across ten local policing teams – each with a dedicated chief inspector and inspector – committed to providing a responsive service which is cognisant of local issues and caring for victims of crime.

Domestic abuse continues to be Staffordshire’s highest volume crime, with growing vulnerability and complexity seen across all crime types. The force has set three strategic priorities – to tackle domestic abuse, crimes involving children and serious and organised crime – in addition to its commitment to dealing with neighbourhood crime. The force’s dedicated Public Protection Unit ensures those most vulnerable are given a voice and justice is served on perpetrators.

The force works closely with regional forces to tackle cross-border criminality, working with West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit and Counter Terrorism Police.

Staffordshire Police works closely with partners, including local authorities and health, to ensure the right person provides the right care for vulnerable people. It also works closely with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service on prevention.

Staffordshire Police serves more than 1.1m people across a geographic area of 1,000 square miles ranging from the rural areas of Staffordshire Moorlands to major urban areas such as Stoke-on-Trent (which accounts for just over 20% of the population), Tamworth, Cannock and Burton-upon-Trent. Staffordshire includes some of the region’s busiest roads networks, including the M6.

The force is facing sustained high levels of demand with the number of people contacting Staffordshire Police via emergency and non-emergency methods continuing to increase. Overall recorded crime is also increasing showing a clear reflection of the ending of Covid-19 restrictions.

The force is tackling increases in serious violent crime and domestic abuse, as well as growing vulnerability and complexity across all crime types including child abuse and exploitation.

In June 2022, the force moved to a new local policing model which increases the number of officers working locally throughout the county. The force now has ten local policing teams, each with a dedicated Chief Inspector and Inspector, local neighbourhood officers and PCSOs, local response officers and dedicated problem solvers working within bespoke Harm Reduction Hubs. The changes have been made to enable officers to respond quicker to emergencies; develop enhanced local knowledge in order to solve problems and work more closely with partners; have more time to investigate and provide a high-quality, consistent and caring service for victims of crime.

This is supported by investment in the force’s public protection departments, focused on the most serious and complex crimes, as well as in the force contact centre to ensure a responsive and effective service with varied channels for public contact.

The force has set out its priorities for the next 12-18 months to; ensure safe and confident communities; develop an exceptional workforce; develop active and productive partnerships and build an outstanding organisation.