The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has praised the force for its remarkable progress in handling emergency calls more efficiently. During National Response Week of Action (20-27 April), Mr. Foster joined frontline officers in Sandwell to witness their dedication firsthand.
Recent data reveals that the force has achieved record-breaking performance levels in answering both 999 and 101 calls. Compliance with the national standard for 999 calls—answering within 10 seconds—has soared to 97% in 2025/26. Impressively, the average response time for 999 calls has dropped to just 2 seconds.
Similarly, 101 call performance has improved significantly. The force met the 3-minute answer time SLA in 95.7% of cases, with the average response time now approximately 30 seconds over the past year.
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Emergency response times have also seen positive changes. Median response times decreased to around 11 minutes in 2025/26, highlighting increased efficiency in deployment. Moreover, compliance with the 15-minute emergency response target rose to 70.6% within the same period.
National Response Week aims to honour the hardworking response officers who provide round-the-clock protection to the public. During his visit, Commissioner Foster observed officers managing complex and often distressing emergencies, gaining insight into the high-pressure nature of their roles.
Commissioner Foster commented, “I want to thank our officers for their unwavering commitment, dedication, and professionalism in what is an incredibly fast-paced and challenging role. Seeing the Response Teams in action in Sandwell was truly inspiring. Whether responding swiftly to a 999 emergency or supporting crime victims, these officers work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe.”
The ride-along also offered officers a valuable opportunity to connect directly with the Commissioner and highlight the critical work they perform across the West Midlands.