STOURPORT residents will have more opportunities to report crimes, with the town's police station to open six days a week for a trial period.

In the move announced by West Mercia Constabulary, the counter of the station, in Bewdley Road, will be open from 9am each morning from Mondays to Saturdays inclusive.

During the summer-long trial period, beginning on Saturday, June 4, the counter will be open until 1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and until 5pm on Tuesdays. On Saturdays, it will be open until 2pm.

It currently opens at varying times and is not open at all on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Insp Paul Crowley said: "We hope that, by introducing a standardised 9am opening, it will make it easier for people to come in and report crimes or make inquiries.

"With Stourport being a popular tourist destination, summer is our busiest period.

"The service will be maintained unless extenuating circumstances prevail and is in addition to the 24-hour, seven-day a week cover maintained by uniformed police officers."

He added that calls could be made to 08457 444888 or 999 in an emergency, while Crimestoppers could be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.

Earlier this year, more than 1,000 people signed a petition calling for front desks in Wyre Forest's police stations, including Kidderminster and Bewdley, to be manned 24 hours a day.

Until now, Stourport had been manned for just 16 hours a week.

West Mercia Constabulary said the Kidderminster station always had officers on duty, although the front desk there was manned from 8am until 10pm.