THE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for West Mercia is looking to bolster his workforce by appointing a deputy.

John Campion announced on Tuesday that he is looking for the appointment to complete his team to deliver a safer West Mercia.

He said he has created the role in order to support and advance the work he and his team put in place during his first term and hopes they will be able to pick up the slack.

"The community must always be at the heart of policing and engagement with communities is key to ensuring local issues and priorities are understood and acted upon," he said.

"This role will be focused on seeking out, building and maintaining those key relationships with local communities and partners that will ultimately help me ensure the police are providing the best possible service to the public, and deliver a safer West Mercia for our communities.

"Engaging with communities and making sure their voice is heard within policing and crime is a key element of the PCC’s function.

"It is vital to ensuring local services reflect the needs of local people.

"This will form a central, core part of the new Assistant PCC role, supporting me to hear from all of the diverse communities across one of the biggest policing areas in the country."

The new Assistant PCC replaces that Community Ambassadors scheme with a new role, which will work closely and directly with MR Campion while maintaining a focus on the community, and help deliver a financial efficiency within the Commissioner’s team.

For more information and how to apply for the role please visit www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/