I'm in charge of West Midlands Police and we have 700 fewer officers – it's not fair, we've been short-changed

Gurdip Thandi
By Gurdip Thandi

Local democracy reporter

Published 10th Jun 2025, 09:39 BST

Click here for more of our videos 
on ShotsTV.com or watch on Freeview 262

The boss of West Midlands Police has called for the return of hundreds of police officers to the region which have been lost since 2010.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use this week’s Comprehensive Spending Review to restore front line policing numbers to pre-austerity levels.

Mr Foster said 700 officers have been cut from the force due to historic under-funding.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
West Midlands police and crime commissioner Simon Foster has called for the return of hundreds of police officers to the region which have been lost since 2010placeholder image
West Midlands police and crime commissioner Simon Foster has called for the return of hundreds of police officers to the region which have been lost since 2010 | Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live/LDRS

Earlier this year, he announced 150 additional neighbourhood officers had been secured but said this still left them short of officers and 500 fewer PCSOs than they had 15 years ago.

The Labour PCC added other forces around the country had more officers than ever in their history and branded this unfair.

Mr Foster said: “The people of the West Midlands have been short-changed for far too long.

“We still have nearly 700 fewer police officers than in 2010, despite rising demand and increasing complexity in the nature of crime.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“However, many other police force areas now have more police officers, than they have ever had in their force histories. That is not fair and it is not just.

“The West Midlands has been short changed for far too long. It’s time for the Government to take this opportunity to put that right.”

Go beyond the story - sign up for our BirminghamWorld newsletter

The PCC is also calling for a fairer funding formula that allocates resources based on actual demand and need, rather than outdated metrics that disadvantage urban forces like West Midlands Police.

Get the latest updates - follow us on our Facebook page

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “We need a funding model that reflects the real pressures on policing in our region.

“The current formula is broken and unfit for purpose. It fails to account for the scale of demand we face, from serious organised crime to safeguarding vulnerable people.

“This is not about more money. It is about delivering a fairer allocation of funding, to keep our people and communities safe and secure.”

The 2025 Spending Review will set departmental budgets for the years 2026/27 to 2028/29, with investment plans extending to 2029/30.

Related topics:West Midlands PolicePolice and Crime CommissionerLocal Democracy Reporting Service
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice