West Mercia Police
West Midlands · Territorial force · 2,450 officers
Key Statistics
Officers
2,450
Staff
1,200
Area (sq miles)
2,868
Population served
1,280,000
About West Mercia Police
Covering Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Worcestershire. One of the largest geographical forces, offering predominantly rural policing with a superb quality of life.
West Mercia Police is responsible for an extensive area in the West Midlands, encompassing diverse environments from rural landscapes in Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire to the urban centers of Telford. This geographic breadth presents unique operational challenges and opportunities, particularly as West Mercia shares borders with multiple police forces, including West Midlands Police. The region's vast transport network, including major roads and rail services, is vital for effective policing, allowing for efficient movement and response across the area. The force also has special jurisdictional considerations due to key historical sites and local events that may require additional police presence and management.
Among its notable specialist units, West Mercia Police boasts a robust Dog Unit, which plays a critical role in operational effectiveness, as well as a dedicated Cyber Crime Unit focused on tackling technology-related offenses. The force also has a Rural Crime Team to address unique challenges faced in less populated areas. Furthermore, their collaboration with partner agencies in local community safety initiatives reflects a commitment to integrated policing strategies.
Currently, West Mercia Police prioritizes areas such as tackling rural crime, enhancing community engagement, and improving response times to emergencies. The force is also focused on safeguarding vulnerable individuals and tackling anti-social behavior, ensuring a holistic approach to policing in their varied territories.
Current priorities
- Tackling rural crime
- Improving community engagement
- Enhancing emergency response times
- Safeguarding vulnerable individuals
- Addressing anti-social behavior
Notable specialisms
Source: About West Mercia Police. Summary fetched 2026-07-05.
Public-data snapshot
Workforce
Officers
2,450
Staff
1,200
Total headcount
3,650
Source: Home Office Police Workforce Statistics as of 31 March 2025 · OGL v3
HMICFRS PEEL rating
good
Inspection cycle: 2023-2025
Source: HMICFRS PEEL assessments · Open Government Licence v3.0
From data.police.uk
data.police.uk covers England, Wales & Northern Ireland; not Police Scotland.
Stop and search
Latest available month: 2026-08. 302 recorded stop-and-search records that month. Officer-defined ethnicity was recorded on 95% of records.
By object of search (2026-08)
| Controlled drugs | 167 |
| Offensive weapons | 53 |
| Stolen goods | 36 |
| Article for use in theft | 34 |
| Anything to threaten or harm anyone | 5 |
| Firearms | 4 |
| (not recorded) | 2 |
| Fireworks | 1 |
By outcome (2026-08)
| A no further action disposal | 196 |
| Arrest | 80 |
| Community resolution | 16 |
| Summons / charged by post | 5 |
| Khat or Cannabis warning | 3 |
| Penalty Notice for Disorder | 2 |
Source: data.police.uk · Open Government Licence v3.0
Recorded crime by category
9,474 crimes recorded by West Mercia Police in 2026-08 (latest published month), by category. Counted from the published street-level archive; England, Wales & Northern Ireland only.
| Crime type (2026-08) | Recorded |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 3,723 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,591 |
| Shoplifting | 849 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 750 |
| Public order | 616 |
| Other theft | 542 |
| Burglary | 396 |
| Vehicle crime | 363 |
| Drugs | 202 |
| Other crime | 163 |
| Robbery | 100 |
| Possession of weapons | 96 |
| Theft from the person | 43 |
| Bicycle theft | 40 |
| Total | 9,474 |
Source: data.police.uk street-level archive · Open Government Licence v3.0
Deaths during or following police contact
IOPC-recorded fatalities involving West Mercia Police over 2004/05 to 2024/25 (2024/25 in brackets). These use the IOPC’s five categories, which have different definitions and are not additive. Figures count incidents the IOPC attributed to West Mercia Police; see the national page for how multi-force incidents are handled.
Recruitment
How to join West Mercia Police
Application stages, entry routes, fitness and vetting requirements.