Police data reveals officer numbers in Walsall still down by a third since 2010
West Midlands Police figures have revealed there is currently one police officer for every 776 people across Walsall.
The 2025 figure is a stark contrast compared to 2010, where there used to be an officer for every 500 residents across the borough.
However the most recent figures show a big improvement compared to 2020 data in Walsall, when there was only one officer for every 2,731 residents.
Across the seven policing areas in the West Midlands, Walsall ranks fourth highest for the number of police officers per population in 2025.
The policing area of Birmingham comes out best in this year’s figures, with one officer for every 602 residents.
Meanwhile at the very bottom of the list is Dudley, where figures show there is only one officer for every 992 residents.
In April it was announced there will be an extra 150 officers coming to West Midlands Police under the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
The distribution of new officers is still being finalised and it is not known how many of them will be deployed across Walsall.
But a spokesperson said there will be a ‘clear focus’ on town centres and high streets across the region.
Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, said he expects Walsall to get its ‘fair share’ of the additional officers.
Mr Foster added that West Midlands Police has faced ‘reckless financial cuts’ and has been ‘ripped off’ compared to other forces, to which the Home Office has not disputed.
Mr Foster said: “The impact of these cuts was felt across the West Midlands, including within Walsall local policing area.
“We have all been paying the price of the ill-advised, misconceived and poor decision making.
“The allocation of police officers across local policing areas is an operational policing decision made by the chief constable.
“However since I was elected in 2021, there has been a 250 per cent increase in the number of police officers allocated to the Walsall local policing area.
“I am also continuing my campaign for the return of the 700 fewer police officers we have in the West Midlands compared to 2010 and for fair funding for West Midlands Police.
“It is unacceptable that we continue to be short changed when it comes to the allocation of police resources. I would encourage all elected representatives and members of the public to join me in that campaign.”
