POLICE say a new policing team set up to deal with crimes 'by appointment' is proving valuable at relieving pressure on frontline officers.

The Incident Progression Team (IPT) has been set up as a new approach which offers a ‘middle ground’ department, intended to free up response officers.

The scheme offers an appointment system to deal with crimes where an immediate response is not possible or necessary.

Instead, IPT officers respond to incidents that have already happened, and where the victim is no longer in any danger.

It is the system that was used when Mr Tippin reported his attack - and the team have followed his case through to the resolution.

The IPT was set up in February and is currently made up of four Sergeants and 50 Constables based at Worcester, Hereford, Kidderminster and Redditch police stations.

The team made up of predominantly officers on modified duties are currently investigating more than 600 crimes.

Sergeant Sara Goodman, who has spent 22 years in the police force, said: “It’s about meeting the needs and providing a better service to the public.

“I have found that the team are very successful in providing a thorough service to the public and bringing offenders to justice.

"It’s a really valuable resource and a beneficial way of utilising officers who are on modified duties. Some are recovering from operations and are unable to respond to incidents in progress, but they are able to join this team for a period of time and add real value to our ability to investigate potential crimes.”

Sergeant Goodman, from Worcester, added: “The good news is that over the past few years people have become increasingly aware of how to report crime and the importance of reporting previously ‘hidden’ crimes such as domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation.

“The good news is that over the past few years people have become increasingly aware of how to report crime and the importance of reporting previously ‘hidden’ crimes such as domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation.

This increase in reporting does place an extra pressure on the police with the increase in jobs we have to resource on a daily basis, we want to provide a good level of service, and this is where our IPT team is being utilised to investigate crimes.”

In another example, in March 2019, PC Threadgold from the IPT undertook an investigation into a burglary at a house in Astwood Road, where several thousands of pounds worth of gold jewellery was stolen.

PC Threadgold worked with West Midlands Police on the case.

The investigation resulted in the prosecution of two offenders who received sentences of three years and nine months, and two years for a series of burglaries.

Victims can report crime in the usual manner by calling 101 in case of non-emergency. If an emergency is taking place please call 999. The IPT will then contact victims to make appointments.