More than 50 new West Mercia Police officers to target anti-social behaviour

West Mercia Chief Constable Pippa Mills said the extra officers would focus on "neighbourhood crime"

More than 50 new police officers are to be deployed to target anti-social behaviour, drugs, thefts and criminal damage.

The new Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Teams (NCFTs) will work across Shropshire, Telford and Worcestershire.

They will support existing work done by Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

Part of the money to pay for them has come from the force's annual precept following a pledge from West Mercia PCC John Campion.

West Mercia PCC John Campion and Ch Con Pippa Mills launched the initiative on Thursday

West Mercia Chief Constable Pippa Mills said the extra officers would help to improve public confidence and focus on "neighbourhood crime".

"It's all about our communities feeling reassured that we understand their concerns and that we're effectively dealing with them and telling them what we've done," she said.

"The new Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team is really exciting because there'll be that real visible presence across our communities dealing with those things that matter to people on a daily basis.

Mr Campion said he was regularly aware anti-social behaviour, drugs and speeding were "significant community concerns".

"Some of those issues have been around forever, but I know we haven't made enough progress against them and this is more resource to make sure we are making the progress that the community can recognise," he said.

The new officers were an extra investment in neighbourhood policing which was "much thinner" during austerity, he added.