New commander hails 'fantastic' crime reduction

Wolverhampton has made "fantastic" progress in reducing crime over the last year, the city's new commander has said.

Ch Supt Jenny Skyrme has replaced Rich Fisher as Wolverhampton's leading officer following the latter's retirement, West Midlands Police announced.

She has served with the force for almost 24 years and was last based in the city in 2010, when she was an inspector overseeing its response teams.

"Wolverhampton has seen fantastic steps forward in reducing crime over the past year and the teams can be proud of the improvements made in the service we offer local people," she said.

According to recent data from West Midlands Police, criminal offences dropped by 18,000, almost 6%, across the whole force area, in the year to March 2025.

This included a decrease in homicides by nearly a third, a spokesperson said.

Figures on Police.UK also show the monthly number of crimes reported in Wolverhampton city centre dropped from 281 in March 2024 to 180 in February 2025.

Ch Supt Skyrme added: "The trick now is to carry this on with further reductions in crime, as we strive to make the city safer."

The commander's father was also an inspector based in Wolverhampton and was her inspiration to join the force.

She has previously worked in frontline policing, intelligence and investigations, including a stint with the public protection unit.

"I look forward to the challenge and I am incredibly proud to be a commander for Wolverhampton, as someone who grew up in the Black Country," she said.

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