| Coronavirus Update – Changes To Our Service and How You Can Help |
| Changes to our serviceThroughout these changing times, one thing which will never change is our commitment to keeping you safe. We want to reassure you that we’re still here to prevent crime, protect the public and help those in need. However to minimise the spread of the virus means that we have fewer team members in our contact centres as some people need to self-isolate. Our staff are helping out as much as they can from home, however it may take a little longer to get in touch, especially if you try to call us.How you can helpIt’s really important we keep our phone lines free so we can prioritise 999 emergencies and help those most in need. We’ve found that many of the calls we’re receivingcould be resolved online. This stops us from helping someone who really needs us right now. Help us so we can help you. For all non-emergencies we ask you to visit our website first. Here you can:Search for advice on a range of issuesReport crime such at theft, criminal damage or burglarySpeak to us on Live Chat between 8am to midnightYou’ll find that everything you can do over 101 you can do on the website and Live Chat. CoronavirusNo one ever said that these restrictions were going to be easy to follow. We understand it’s difficult but we all have a part to play in protecting each other by following the advice. We are enforcing the social distancing measures, which the majority of you are following. It’s a minority who are putting others at risk. Where we’ve had reports online of people not following the rules, we’ve used this information to target our patrols. As you’d expect our priority will always be to continue to respond to crime and prioritise the most serious of crimes. You can trust that we will use our powers to stop significant breaches when we can. Visit our coronavirus specific page to see how we’re supporting you through this health emergency and how to report anyone not following the guidelines. Keep following the government advice by staying at home and only going outside for essential food, health and work. Stay home, save lives, protect the NHS. If we help each other out, together we can get through this. West Midlands Police https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/ https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus |