Police numbers down in the West Midlands - despite government pledge to recruit 13,000 new officers
The number of police officers serving the West Midlands has fallen slightly over the past year - despite a government pledge to boost neighbourhood policing.
Ministers have pledged to recruit 13,000 more 'neighbourhood policing' officers by 2029, with 3,000 extra recruits to be in post by April 2025.
But figures show that the number of police officers in the West Midlands, Staffordshire and West Mercia forces have all fallen slightly over the past year.
The West Midlands force lost nine officers during the 12 months up to March 31, 2025, falling from 8,000 to 7,991.
West Mercia Police made a net loss of four officers, taking the number to 2,509, while the Staffordshire force lost 16 officers, taking the number to 1,997.
Simon Foster, police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands, said his force had received a raw deal compared to other areas where the number of officers had increased.
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