West Midlands Police has recorded a major increase in neighbourhood officers, outstripping every force outside London. The force saw its frontline neighbourhood policing teams grow by 309 officers in the past year, comprising 150 new police officer roles, 139 redeployed officers, and 20 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
Largest Percentage Increase in England
The 309 figure was 133 higher than Greater Manchester Police, according to West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, and only surpassed by the Metropolitan Police in London. The jump represents a 49 per cent increase in neighbourhood officers, the largest percentage increase in neighbourhood policing in the country. It was almost ten per cent higher than the next biggest force jump, Cumbria Police.
Mr Foster said the increase was down to the "effective and efficient use" of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant. Neighbourhood teams are being equipped with new police vehicles, advanced kit, and body-worn video cameras.
Funding Concerns Despite Growth
However, Mr Foster also slammed the "unfair and unfit for purpose" national allocation of police funding and officers to West Midlands Police. He noted that the region still has 520 fewer police officers compared to pre-2010 levels. Overall, West Midlands Police officer numbers climbed from 8,102 to 8,266 in two years, while neighbourhood and response officer numbers increased from 3,750 in May 2021 to 4,870 in 2025 – a rise of almost 30 per cent.
Mr Foster said: "Rebuilding community policing is, and always will be, my top priority. I am pleased to announce we have allocated 309 extra officers and PCSOs straight into our neighbourhoods, backed by brand-new vehicles, cutting-edge kit, and body-worn cameras. This is about putting neighbourhood police officers out on the streets, which is exactly where they need to be."
Crime Reduction and Future Funding
He added: "By strengthening our frontline, we have now achieved a near 49% increase in neighbourhood officer numbers since 2025. It is no coincidence that during this time neighbourhood crime rates have fallen. West Midlands is an efficient force at translating additional resources into action, and I can only imagine what they would achieve if we had the additional 520 officers that we are still down on when compared with 2010."
Mr Foster also raised concerns about the sustainability of funding: "I have taken the opportunity to upgrade vehicles and kit for officers as part of an effective use of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, but that money was a one-off and government have been unclear about how future budget settlements will enable me to keep this investment up to date. I implore the government to confirm that this funding will be available in the future so that we do not see this improvement drift away as the vehicles age, and government should do what should have been done in 2015 and reform the unfair and unfit for purpose funding formula to ensure fair funding for West Midlands Police."
He concluded: "My commitment is, and always will be, to do everything within my power to ensure accessible, reassuring and visible policing, to prevent and tackle crime and keep people, families, businesses and communities safe and secure across the West Midlands."
Police Leadership Response
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Drover, who oversees neighbourhood policing, added: "Neighbourhood officers are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in policing across the region. They are a visible presence on the streets and work with partners and communities to tackle issues which matter to you, carrying out targeted activity and looking at long-term solutions. With additional officers we can make even more of an impact in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour across all of our seven local policing areas."
