I had a very informative Zoom call with West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and his assistant, Gareth Boulton.
While the Chief Constable Anthony Blagden has total executive authority for policing, the Commissioner is responsible for budgets and setting the overall strategy.
West Mercia Police Authority encompasses Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, within which are seven different police forces.
Mr Campion made the point that policing is overwhelmingly for the good of the community and it is important that it is fully upheld and promoted.
We discussed the balance between the policing demands of urban and rural areas and also county lines drug dealing. There are county lines in both Bridgnorth and Oswestry, consisting largely of drug dealers coming in from away who can be quite ruthless.
We talked about the drink culture in our main town centres at night, as well as rural crime. We also discussed national issues.