CRIMINALS face a tougher time in Warwickshire as a direct result of extra resources provided by increased Council Tax funding.
So says Warwickshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe who is using the extra cash to boost visible policing across the county.
New or expanded teams will tackle vehicle and rural crime, while also stepping up police visibility in town centres across Warwickshire.
The additional precept funding will enable:
* The launch of two vehicle crime teams – one based at Bedworth and one at Greys Mallory near Warwick. The teams will focus on tackling vehicle crime.
* The Rural Crime Team, which was launched last year and currently consists of one sergeant and four PCs, to double in size with the addition of a further four PCs. Officers will be split between Stratford, Atherstone and Rugby, enabling the team to increase their presence in the whole county. The extended team will be up-and-running by the end of June.
* Five new Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) police officers to be recruited across the county, to supplement the work of existing SNT teams in Rugby, Leamington, Warwick, Stratford and Nuneaton. The additional officers will be focusing on foot patrol in town centres and working with local businesses to identify and address concerns. All five new roles are intended to be in place by the end of June.
Warwickshire Police chief constable Martin Jelley said: “I am extremely pleased to announce these additional initiatives that will help make our communities safer.
“Rural crime and vehicle crime are two very important issues which can cause huge distress and financial hardship to victims, and we are determined to address this.
“Similarly, our Safer Neighbourhood Teams are vital in our communities to work with residents and businesses to resolve local concerns, and we believe the addition of these officers will have a substantial impact in supporting the existing teams.”
Mr Seccombe added the resources would give extra focus to the issues that mattered most to residents.
He said: “Vehicle crime, rural crime and neighbourhood policing in our town centres are among the topics I get most feedback from the public on, so I am pleased to see these will all now be getting enhanced focus.
“Overall, it has been a record-breaking year for recruitment, meaning Warwickshire Police is now in a strong position, with over 1,000 officers for the first time in a decade or more. Alongside these newly expanded teams, there are also many more officers now in patrol policing helping to respond to the public’s calls to 999 and 101 and this is beginning to make a real difference and delivering on my ambition to create a safer, more secure Warwickshire.”
