New police teams to target town centre crime

The new officers will be introduced in 10 areas across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, West Mercia Police said

Extra officers will be deployed in towns across three counties due to higher demand in the areas, a police force said.

The 10 new teams will be introduced across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

They will be made up of officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) with a specific town centre focus, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion said.

Their locations have been chosen based on where data showed there was the highest policing demand, the force said.

The extra officers will be seen in Evesham, Hereford, Kidderminster, Leominster, Oswestry, Redditch, Ross-on-Wye, Shrewsbury, Telford and Worcester.

“The town centre teams will bolster local policing in our communities, making sure we have officers in the places we know you want to see them and tackling the issues that really matter to you," said Acting Chief Constable Alex Murray.

The teams are being funded through Mr Campion’s 2024-25 budget.

“I hear regularly from communities calling for police officers to be ever more visible and accessible in the heart of communities," the PCC said.

"I know these teams will help drive down crime and build strong relationships with the public and businesses they proudly serve.”

The teams will be in place later this year.