West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner calls for 150 extra officers to tackle 'inexcusable unfairness'

Mr Foster has written to the Home Office to apply for the officers as part of the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, a £100 million pledge that will aim to deliver 13,000 extra officers out on the streets to deal with local issues.

He said the force still has hundreds of fewer police officers and PCSOs than it had in 2010 while other areas benefit from their highest ever numbers.

In a statement, he said: “I have applied for 150 additional police officers, as part of the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, so that I can continue to rebuild neighbourhood policing in the West Midlands.

“This is particularly important for the West Midlands, because our Force still has about 700 fewer police officers and about 500 fewer PCSOs than we had in 2010, despite the deep and inexcusable unfairness of many other police force areas having more police officers than they have ever had in their force histories.

“These 150 additional police officers are essential, to fulfil my commitment to continue rebuilding neighbourhood policing.

“We need an accessible, reassuring and visible presence out on the streets to prevent and tackle crime, promote community safety and keep the people, families, businesses and communities of the West Midlands safe and secure.”

Neighbourhood policing is expected to be discussed at the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel, which meets on Monday (|March 24).

In a report to the panel, Mr Foster said: “Continuing to rebuild neighbourhood policing is my top priority.

“I committed to rebuilding neighbourhood policing, when I was first elected on May 2021. I recommitted to that in my first Police and Crime Plan and when I was re-elected in May 2024.

“I did that because we need accessible, reassuring and visible policing out on

the streets, keeping people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure.

“We are therefore ahead of the game in the West Midlands, when it comes to rebuilding neighbourhood policing.

“However, there is more to do, to ensure that the people of the West Midlands have the neighbourhood policing they are entitled to.

“That is why my new Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029, will include a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, that will aim to continue to rebuild neighbourhood policing, to ensure the people of the region have the neighbourhood policing they are entitled to and need, to prevent and tackle crime, promote community safety and improve the quality of life for everyone in the West Midlands.”