The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has indicated that he will not immediately dismiss the force’s Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, despite calls to do so following a report on the handling of a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.
In a statement, Foster acknowledged the concerns expressed by many people regarding the force’s actions, but emphasised the need for careful and detailed consideration of the report before rushing to judgment. He revealed that he did not receive the Andy Cooke report in advance, and that Cooke is expected to publish a further, final report on West Midlands Police, with the possibility that his views may evolve as more information becomes available.
Foster also noted that the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee has not yet published its own report on the matter, suggesting a desire to wait for a more complete picture before taking any decisive action.
Highlighting his statutory duty to hold the Chief Constable accountable for the overall policing in the West Midlands, Foster stated that he will be taking the issue to a public meeting of his accountability and governance board on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, where he will question Guildford on the matter.
Emphasising the importance of due process and adherence to the law, Foster’s measured approach appears to be aimed at ensuring a thorough and impartial examination of the concerns raised, rather than rushing to dismiss the Chief Constable based on the initial report.
It is worth noting that, according to Vikram Dodd’s previous reporting, Guildford, who became Chief Constable in 2022, has had some success in improving the force’s performance. The report cites a 15% increase in crime solving rates since Guildford took over, as well as reductions in violent crime and improvements in emergency response times, which were previously among the worst in the country.
