Warwickshire Police and Authority submit proposals for police reform

Warwickshire Police and Police Authority have today submitted their proposals to the Home Office on the reshaping of policing in Warwickshire.

Chief Constable John Burbeck said, "Our overriding aim is to improve policing services for the people of Warwickshire. With this in mind, the options reinforce the importance of policing Coventry and Warwickshire within the same force."

"Policing in Warwickshire will continue to be delivered through neighbourhood policing teams in partnership with community stakeholders such as Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. This will be supported by protective services, designed to tackle terrorism and extremism, serious organized and cross-border crime, and major incidents. "

Warwickshire Police and Police Authority have worked closely with neighbouring forces and authorities to come up with a common understanding of the way forward for the West Midlands Region. This early consultation supports the view that the minimum change required is for Warwickshire to join with West Midlands but the most desirable is to join with the whole region.

Warwickshire has submitted the following two options:

1. New strategic force from Warwickshire with West Midlands, with sub regional / strategic command, governance and accountability.
2. New strategic force from Warwickshire with Staffordshire, West Mercia and West Midlands with sub regional / strategic command, governance and accountability.

The next step is for the Police and Police Authority to undertake consultation on the options. The first phase, already underway, involves consulting key stakeholders such as county, district and borough councillors, together with the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Panels and the local Criminal Justice Board.

Then, in November, members of the public and local community representatives will be asked for their views in a series of public meetings to be held around the county on the following dates:

• Warwick - 7 November 6.30pm, Aylesford High School, Warwick
• Rugby - 10 November 6.30pm Ashlawn School, Rugby
• Nuneaton - 14 November 6.30pm St Thomas Moore, Nuneaton
• North Warwickshire - 15 November 6.30pm Coleshill High School, Coleshill
• Stratford - 16 November 6.30pm, venue to be confirmed, Stratford

People will also be able to record their views on the Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Police Authority websites www.warwickshire.police.uk and www.warwickshirepa.gov.uk

The findings of the public consultations will inform the final detailed proposals that will be submitted to the Home Office on 23 December.

Chief Constable John Burbeck said, "We are keen to hear people's views on these very important proposals which could shape the structure of policing for the next 30 years."

Phil Blundell, Chair of Warwickshire Police Authority said: "We have an opportunity here to bring together the best of both worlds: the strength of the region and local accountability for policing in Warwickshire. Under the preferred option we will be able to draw on the expertise and resources of the region, but at the same time maintain local accountability and local ownership of local matters. Should this option be chosen, we will become part of a police force with extensive experience in both rural and urban policing, and this knowledge will add to that of the very good service currently being offered in Warwickshire. We now look forward to hearing the public's views on the proposals at the forthcoming consultation around the county."

For further information contact Hazel Nicholas (Warwickshire Police) on 01926 415065 / 01926 415000 x 5379 or Antony Hopker (Warwickshire Police Authority) on 01926 418606.