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West Mercia Constabulary is the Home Office police force responsible for policing the counties of Shropshire (including Telford and Wrekin), Herefordshire and Worcestershire in England. The force area covers 2,868 square miles making it the fourth largest police area in England and Wales. The resident population of the area is 1.16 million.
The force is divided into five divisions and represent a very wide spread of policing environments from densely populated urban conurbations on the edge of Birmingham and the city of Worcester to sparsely populated rural areas found in the rest of the force area.
Police officer strength in March 2005 was 2,422.
In 2005 the police force was rated the best of the Home Office forces in England and Wales by the government.
The headquarters of this constabulary is in Worcester. Its logo combines the heraldry of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
The force was formed on October 1, 1967, by the merger of the Worcestershire Constabulary, Herefordshire Constabulary, Shropshire Constabulary and Worcester City Police. [http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/HO/CircularsOld.nsf/0/8186830445D6421380256D730043621B/$file/Home%20Office%20Circular%20189%20-%201967.pdf It lost territory to West Midlands Police when that was constituted on April 1, 1974.
Divisions
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire (excluding Telford and Wrekin)
- Telford and Wrekin
- North Worcestershire
- South Worcestershire
Merger plans
In November 2005 the government announced major reforms of policing in England and Wales, which raised the prospect of West Mercia Constabulary being merged with other forces in the West Midlands region.
Under final proposals made by the Home Secretary on February 6, 2006, it would merge with Staffordshire Police, Warwickshire Constabulary and West Midlands Police to form a single strategic force for the West Midlands region. This has come under particular criticism from West Mercia Constabulary, especially as it was rated the best force in the country. Instead, the constabulary wishes to remain a seperate force.
The proposals are also unpopular with many of the local authorities in the West Mercia area.
As of July 12, 2006 the merger plans have been put on hold.
See also
References
External links
Police forces of England | Shropshire | Telford and Wrekin | Herefordshire | Worcestershire | 1967 establishments
"West Mercia Constabulary"