Preet Gill and Al Carns were among local leaders calling for action
Birmingham is set for a significant increase in neighbourhood policing, with every ward guaranteed two dedicated Neighbourhood Police Officers from April 2026.
The move follows discussions between Birmingham MPs and senior officers at West Midlands Police (WMP) amid concerns that the city’s large ward sizes require additional support.
The uplift forms part of a wider neighbourhood policing programme that aims to increase local visibility, improve community relationships and ensure residents have a reliable point of contact for non-emergency policing issues.
Birmingham’s wards are among the largest in the country
MPs, including Preet Kaur Gill and Al Carns, raised the issue of Birmingham’s policing capacity with WMP chief constable Craig Guildford, noting that the city’s wards are among the largest in the country.
Their concerns were also discussed in a meeting with WMP chief superintendent Tom Joyce, who oversees policing across Birmingham.
WMP subsequently reviewed the allocation of neighbourhood officers and agreed to increase staffing in the city.
Under the plans, each ward will have two named and contactable officers working exclusively in their local area.
Anti-social behaviour, repeat offending and neighbourhood crime
The additional officers are expected to focus on early intervention, community engagement and tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour, repeat offending and neighbourhood crime.
Joyce said: “Birmingham is a complex policing challenge, but we have made significant progress in improving the timeliness of our response to the public and in bringing offenders to justice.
“We recognise the importance of strong neighbourhood policing teams, and investing in these teams allows them to focus more time on preventing crime and harm.
“The commitment of two dedicated Neighbourhood Officers per ward, to be delivered in 2026, reflects our commitment to providing the best possible service to our communities.”
New officers in place by April 2026
Local MPs have welcomed the decision, saying it reflects residents’ concerns about police visibility and access to consistent support.
The new officers are expected to be in place across all Birmingham wards by April 2026.
