A NEW police team has been set up dedicated to fighting crime in the town centre.

The town centre teams were launched by West Mercia Police with ten towns and cities in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire receiving the new teams.

The squads will focus on issues specific to town centres, such as shoplifting and retail crime, while also dealing with wider issues such as anti-social behaviour and overnight disorder.

The teams are part of West Mercia police and crime commissioner John Campion's 'Safer West Mercia' plan to improve the visibility and accessibility of officers in the region.

Evesham businesses have been quick to praise the new squads.

Rob Robinson, owner of Brew Bear Coffee House, said: "I think any proactive work from the constabulary to deal with crime is a good thing.

"It's a pinprick in what needs to be done for the future of Evesham, but any action is a step in the right direction."

The location of the new teams was chosen based on calls from the public and from footfall in town centres, with the teams supporting existing safer neighbourhood teams.

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Evesham was one of four places in Worcestershire to receive a team, alongside Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.

Kate Warwick, manager of footwear store Shoe Emporium, said: "The new police teams will absolutely help with shoplifting.

"We're quite lucky as we have a fairly small store and we can see everything that is happening, which puts people of trying to steal, but it will definitely be good for the town."

Grant Wills, local policing and operations assistant chief constable, said: "We know the public want to see police officers in the heart of the communities. 

"Our town centre teams will increase our police presence in some of our busiest cities and towns.

"They will take ownership of shoplifting investigations where a shoplifter has been detained and take a problem-approach to longer-term issues."

Funding for the new teams has been provided by West Mercia police and crime commissioner John Campion's 2024/25 budget, which saw council tax funding for the police rise by 4.91 per cent.