JACQUI Smith MP has welcomed new community safety officers and the pledge of more to come to help in the fight against crime.
The government has provided funding for an additional 12 CSOs for West Mercia and the force is also in negotiations with Redditch Council for extra officers for Batchley and Abbeydale.
In a letter to Ms Smith, Chief Constable Paul West said he was "a strong supporter of CSOs, who are a very welcome addition to our policing and patrol capability".
Ms Smith said: "I am delighted that on top of the extra 305 police that now work in West Mercia Constabulary, we are now seeing new Community Safety Officers to backup their work.
"They form a vital additional force in the fight against crime.
"I am particularly pleased to see the local police and Redditch Council looking at providing even more support officers."
The police are also engaged in negotiations to provide more high-profile policing of the Kingfisher Centre with a three month trial of new security arrangements in the pipeline.
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