Officers moved into neighbourhood policing roles

West Mercia Police has announced more police officers are set to be moved into neighbourhood policing roles as part of a force-wide drive to "increase visible policing".

It said 14 officers would be reassigned to neighbourhood teams in six locations across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

The force said they would begin joining their new communities over the coming months, with Bromyard, Church Stretton and Whitchurch each receiving three additional officers, while Droitwich and Stourport would gain two and Worcester city one.

A further 13 specialist posts would also be integrated into community-based policing.

The move was part of a joint commitment by Chief Constable Richard Cooper and Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, who said residents regularly raised the importance of seeing officers on the beat.

Cooper said neighbourhood officers played a key role in tackling crime and safety concerns in local areas.

"Neighbourhood officers exist to solve the crime and safety problems affecting local communities," he said.

"As well as obvious benefit to the public, this helps policing colleagues who would otherwise pick up the demand."

Campion said residents regularly told him they valued seeing officers on the beat and building relationships within communities.

"After delivering record numbers of police officers in West Mercia, we are focused on ensuring communities feel the full benefit of that investment through an increase in visible and accessible policing," he said.

The force said the overall number of officers would remain unchanged, with the increase being achieved through the reallocation of existing posts.

A further 13 roles, including Intervention and Prevention Officers and Hate Crime Officers, have also been moved to neighbourhood teams as part of the changes.

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