A Guide to Shropshire from a Shrieval Perspective
The County
Shropshire is England’s largest inland county and has a population of approximately 440,000. It is bordered by Cheshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Powys and Clwyd. The county town is Shrewsbury with other major centres being Oswestry, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Church Stretton. It also includes the borough of Telford and Wrekin.
The High Sheriffs for 2010 for the neighbouring counties are:
| * | Cheshire | Mr. J.E. Lea MA FCA |
| * | Staffordshire | Mr. S.W. Clarke |
| * | Herefordshire | Mr. S.D. Arbuthnott MA JP DL |
| * | Worcestershire | The Hon Lady Morrison D.L |
| * | Powys | Colonel J.H. Brunt OBE TD |
| * | Clwyd | Mr. E.F.L. FitzHugh OBE |
Police
Shropshire is policed by West Mercia Police led by Chief Constable Paul West. (retiring as at July 2011) Its HQ is at Hindlip, Worcestershire www.westmercia.police.uk
Policing in Shropshire is divided into two Territorial Policing Units: Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
The Shropshire TPU is led by Superintendent Pete Lightwood, with its HQ in Shrewsbury. The TPU is divided into five districts: Bridgnorth, North Shropshire, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and South Shropshire.
The Telford & Wrekin TPU is led by Superintendent Gary Higgins with its HQ in Telford. The TPU is divided into five districts: Central, Newport, North, South and Wellington.
Judiciary
Shropshire has a Crown Court in Shrewsbury presided over by His Honour Judge Onions and County Courts in Shrewsbury and Telford.
There are Magistrates Courts in Shrewsbury (Shrewsbury & North Shropshire Bench) and in Telford (Telford & South Shropshire Bench).
Coroner’s Office
There are Coroners’ Offices in Shrewsbury, Telford and Ludlow.
Probation Service
The Shropshire Probation Service is part of the West Mercia Probation Trust with divisions in Shrewsbury and Telford.
Prison Service
Shropshire has a prison in Shrewsbury (The Dana) and a Young Offender’s Institution at Market Drayton (Stoke Heath).
Local Authorities
Shropshire is managed by the Unitary Authorities of ‘Shropshire’ and ‘Telford & Wrekin’.
Parliamentary Constituencies
There are five Parliamentary Constituencies in the county: North Shropshire, Wrekin, Telford, Shrewsbury & Atcham and Ludlow.