New police boss says activists won't dictate plans

The new boss of West Midlands Police has been appointed, after saying he would not be guided by politics, religion or activists.

Scott Green had been serving as acting chief constable since January after the former Chief Constable Craig Guildford left amid controversy over Israeli football fans being banned from attending a match in Birmingham.

Green had already been named as the preferred candidate by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

"My decisions will be based on law, evidence, professional policing standards, threat harm and risk, not political, religious, social, activism driven or unconscious bias pressures," he said.

"I will tell the commissioner what he needs to hear rather than what he might want to hear," he told the police and crime panel on Monday, before his appointment was confirmed.

Green started his policing career in South Yorkshire Police in the 1990s and moved to Greater Manchester Police in 2021, before joining the West Midlands force as deputy chief constable in April 2023, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The PCC Simon Foster said he appointed Green after a "rigorous selection process".

"He is an experienced police officer who has already proven he is capable of leading the second largest force in the country," Foster added.

Green claimed there had been a 17% reduction in crime in the West Midlands since he took up the role, and said he had developed a plan to prevent harm, protect people and build trust in the region.

He added that he had "demonstrated the competence" needed to fulfil the role, and that the next stage for the force was "about building upon the progress made and being honest about where further improvement is required".

Green also told the panel he wanted neighbourhood policing to be visible, investigators to bring more offenders to justice and for victims to receive "the service they have the right to expect."

He added that he wanted the force to be "relentless" in tackling violence against women and girls, organised crime, road safety and violent crime.

"I want West Midlands Police to provide excellent value for money and demonstrate every pound entrusted to us is being used effectively," he said.

"Above all, I want the people of the West Midlands to have the confidence that their police service listens to them and treats them fairly."

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