Ledbury Focus September 2019 Ledbury Focus September 2019 v2 | Page 26

New resources for tackling rural and business crime Dedicated rural and business crime vehicles will soon be on the roads of West Mercia, following funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner. The five new vehicles, with the distinctive 'Rural Matters' and 'We Don't Buy Crime' branding, will be based across the force area and will be used by officers to support rural communities and work to reduce crime. PCC John Campion said: "Officers can often spend a large amount of time travelling around the large swathes of countryside that makes up West Mercia - supporting communities and businesses to prevent crime, and cope and recover quickly when it does occur. We've invested in additional officers and I want to make sure that they have the right tools needed to carry out their roles effectively and efficiently. I also hope that communities will be reassured, when they see these new vehicles, that there is preventative work taking place within the area they live." * * * * * 'Guardian angels' placed in hospitals for victims of domestic abuse John Campion has delivered on his promise to support victims by increasing the funding allocated to Women's Aid to allow it to be introduced across the whole of the region. On top of the existing IDVA service in the community, the new contract will place advisors in the following locations: Hereford County Hospital, Worcester Royal Hospital, Alexandra Hospital (Redditch), Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital (Telford). It has been found that four in five domestic abuse victims don't report the abuse to the police, so having these advisors in a place where victims may go to allows for early intervention and support. It was also found that by co-locating the IDVA services with a hospital can significantly improve the health and wellbeing outcome for victims of domestic abuse. PCC John Campion said: "It is so important that victims of domestic abuse are getting the support they need early on, and I remain committed to ensuring that that happens. The sooner services like Women's Aid can intervene, the better. "The new locations for the IDVAs will be invaluable. Survivors who have been supported by the service have previously said that they felt 'safe' and 'protected' and that they saw their IDVA as their 'guardian angel'." * * * * * Dedicated Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) have been placed in hospitals across West Mercia to provide victims of domestic abuse with early support. Committed approach leads to decrease in burglary Recognising the success of this as a service, following a pilot a few years ago in Worcestershire and Shropshire, Police and Crime Commissioner Burglary offences are continuing to fall in West Mercia, following a committed approach from the West Mercia Police and 26 To advertise call 01684 833715 or email: [email protected]