Major Neighbourhood Policing Boost for Birmingham as MPs secure extra resources

Caption: (L-R) Inspector Paul Hatton and Preet Kaur Gill MP outside Quinton Police Station 

Birmingham has secured a major policing breakthrough, with every ward guaranteed two dedicated Neighbourhood Police Officers from April 2026 following pressure from Preet Gill MP and Al Carns MP for more resources.  

Government's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee mean we are recruiting 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs by 2029, and every neighbourhood now has a named and contactable officer to turn to when things go wrong.

Local MP Preet Gill and MP Al Carns have been in discussion with West Midlands Police about an enhanced offer for Birmingham given it has some of the largest wards in the country.

In a joint letter, the Birmingham MPs raised the issue with Chief Constable Craig Guildford and later met with Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce to make sure residents across Birmingham finally get the policing resource they deserve.

The West Midlands Police listened to their concerns and acted to double the number of neighbourhood police officers in Birmingham. With this new investment, neighbourhood policing in Birmingham will begin to reflect the city’s size, complexity and need.

Chief Superintendent Thomas 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 bringing offenders to justice. However, we recognise that we need to invest more in our neighbourhood policing teams so that those teams can focus 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.”

Preet Kaur Gill MP (Birmingham, Edgbaston)said:

“This is a huge win for our city. The last Government decimated neighbourhood policing, leaving our communities without consistent support. But this Government is putting police back on our streets and we fought to make sure Birmingham gets what it deserves.

Every ward will now have two neighbourhood police officers serving their communities day in day out. That's double the presence, double the impact. We're serious about tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and I want to thank West Midlands Police for listening and delivering the resources our city needs.”

Al Carns MP (Birmingham Selly Oak) added: "My constituents have been clear with me, they want to see more police on their streets. Now they're getting it.

"These additional officers will make a real, visible difference. Not just more police, but officers who know their patch and build relationships with residents. This is what delivering for our communities looks like."