New police teams to tackle drug dealers, wanted criminals and antisocial behaviour
The teams will be working hard to keep persistent offenders off the streets and reduce levels of high impact crimes such as anti-social behaviour, drugs, major thefts, and criminal damage
Drug dealers, wanted criminals and antisocial behaviour will all be targets of a new team of police officers in West Mercia.
Police have launched the first of their new neighbourhood crime fighting teams (NCFTs), with dedicated officers on the ground to tackle the crimes the public want prioritised.
Some 55 officers are being recruited to the five NCFTs across the force area - with a sergeant leading a team of constables - in each of the Local Policing Areas (LPAs).
The NCFTs will be working hard to keep persistent offenders off the streets and reduce levels of high impact crimes such as anti-social behaviour, drugs, major thefts, and criminal damage.
Funded by Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion delivering on calls for officers to be more visible and accessible in communities, the teams are fast-responding high visibility units who aim to tackle the offences with the highest causes of harm to the public, deploying a rapid serious crime response.
It comes as surveys reveal as few as one in five people across the force area see a police officer at least once a week.
Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “We never underestimate the reassurance police visibility gives to our communities.
“These new teams increase the numbers of dedicated officers in your area, with a focus on tackling the crimes that impact you the most where you live.
“The officers forming these teams have a clear and unwavering commitment to keeping you safe from harm and will be proactive in targeting offenders – as has already been seen from their results in the first few weeks they’ve been in place.
PCC John Campion said: “I am delighted to see two new neighbourhood crime fighting teams already serving the communities of South Worcestershire and Shropshire, with three more to follow in September covering the whole of West Mercia.
“Following my investment which has seen officer numbers reaching record levels in West Mercia, these first-of-a-kind teams in West Mercia will be fast-responsive units working in the heart of communities tackling the issues that matter to you.
“The teams are another example of my commitment to listen and deliver on your calls for more visible and accessible police officers, as I continue to ensure your police force has the resources and tools it needs to deliver a more secure West Mercia, as set out in my Safer West Mercia Plan.”
South Worcestershire Police NCFT, who with Shropshire are the first to be operational, are already getting results in the LPA that covers Worcester, Pershore, Droitwich, Kempsey, and Malvern.
DI Dave Knight of South Worcestershire Police said the NCFT have made 14 arrests so far, targeting the area’s highest harm individuals.
They have carried out many hours of uniform foot patrol in areas identified as a concern by the local community, such as Kempsey and Upton Snodsbury.
Their efforts with the foot patrols have dramatically reduced criminality by arresting and charging suspects over high value burglaries, Class A drug dealing, seizing weapons and recall to prison.
He added: “This is a significant investment in officers to tackle high harm offenders more directly.”