Police force to add 51 new officers

West Mercia Police said among the new officers would be five rural crime officers

Neighbourhood policing teams across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire will see more than 50 new officers.

West Mercia Police said there would be 29 new police constables, two sergeants and 20 police community support officers (PCSOs).

Five of the constables would be dedicated rural crime officers, the force added.

Chief Constable Richard Cooper said the new officers would be posted where data and intelligence showed they were needed most.

The approach would "help increase our presence in local communities and ensure we are tackling crime for the people we serve", he said.

In West Mercia's 2023/24 budget, 40 more officers were added, with 10 town centre policing teams launched in 2024.

The force said that from the end of September, there would be two local policing areas instead of the current five, but added there would be no change to dedicated officers, safer neighbourhood teams or how areas were policed.

"[It] amends our organisational structure to make sure there is consistency across the force area and better response times by not having arbitrary boundaries within the area we serve," the force said.