New laws to strengthen public safety and put victims first in West Mercia

WEST Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed two major laws aimed at strengthening public safety.

The Crime and Policing Act introduces wide-ranging measures designed to strengthen policing.

For West Mercia Police, that includes enhanced powers to tackle some of the public’s priorities, including shoplifting, knife crime and violence against women and girls.

Alongside that legislation, a Victims and Courts Bill will aim to improve the experience for victims and witnesses going through the criminal justice system.

 Mr Campion said: “Two central pillars of my safer communities plan are cutting crime and supporting victims and witnesses.

“I have heard loud and clear from the public that they want the law to reflect the modern-day challenges facing policing and the criminal justice system.

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“That’s why, on a local level I have continued to work to deliver the change they rightly call for.

“But we are often limited by national legislation and resource pressures.

“That’s why these two laws are a welcome step forward but it cannot end there.

“The whole system, from policing to the courts, needs to be prioritised when it comes to how resources are allocated.

“It’s vital the government not only presses forward with strengthening the law but it must also look at how it funds the services it expects to deliver them.”