Continuous Improvement

WEST Midlands Police are to launch some major new changes to improve the service provided to members of the public in Solihull.

The changes follow work carried out by the force's Continuous Improvement programme examining local policing systems and processes from the time of taking an initial call from a member of public through to the custody process. The aim is to improve the service for the public while identifying and reducing waste, duplication and inefficiency.

In future, members of the public making non-emergency calls will be offered 'policing by appointment', giving them the option to meet with officers at a time and location to suit them. An appointment system will mean the public are clear about when the police aim to attend, so they are not left waiting for long periods for an officer to become available.

Other changes include a revised help desk, an incident resolution team to handle all calls, a response team focused on rapid incident response, a larger investigation team dedicated to bringing criminals to court and community priority teams to resolve local community priorities.

Although neighbourhood teams will be smaller, they will also be more visible and remain focused on community engagement and problem solving at a local level, including tackling anti social behaviour. Response times to emergency 999 calls will be improved and the dedicated local investigation team will ensure opportunities to solve and resolve crime and disorder will be maximised.

As part of the changes, where appropriate the force aims to resolve more issues over the phone at the first point of contact, so the public are not passed from person to person or team to team.

The new changes are being introduced by Solihull LPU on 1st June, before being rolled out across the force over the next 18 months.

The new way of doing business is built on five key foundations: continuing to keep the public at the heart of everything we do, guaranteed neighbourhood policing, a strong dedicated investigative capability, delivering the right policing response and ensuring the most effective and efficient service possible.

The changes come amid a backdrop of leaner times ahead - with the force facing a funding gap of £125 million over the next four years - alongside a commitment to deliver the best service possible for our communities.

With the focus on improving service to victims, a local dedicated investigation team will help resolve crime issues faster and be in regular contact with the victims.

The changes mean that neighbourhood teams will be more visible and known in their communities. They will have more time to focus on solving complicated and long-term problems as they will be less abstracted from their day to day duties.

Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “The changes are the first stage of a four year programme to modernise the force. The structural changes will see leaner more efficient systems being introduced and are based on models that have proven successful in other forces and in industry.

Chief Superintendent Sally Bourner said: "I have seen and heard at first hand the dedication and commitment of colleagues to delivering really great service to the people of the borough.

"Service delivery is quite rightly at the heart of everything we do and the Continuous Improvement plan has been shaped by the very people who aim to deliver that service.

"Working together with colleagues in force departments, partners and most importantly local people, we will as a team identify and deal professionally with the things that affect local people's lives. I am confident that this new structure will allow us to better serve our communities and protect people from harm."

Working with Solihull Police throughout these changes are the Independent Advisory Group (IAG), a group of local people who represent various communities across Solihull. They provide a critical friend perspective regarding strategic issues that affect policing in Solihull.

The chair of the Independent Advisory Group, Fiona Anderson said: "The new structure was shared with the IAG last week. The Police are to be applauded by responding to budget cuts with solutions which are designed to deliver improvements in service. The changes appear imminently sensible on paper. IAG Advisors will be seeking feedback and reviewing performance to ensure that the promised service improvements are delivered."