RESIDENTS will tomorrow be able to fire questions at West Mercia's police chief on how he plans to maintain law and order in the town.

Chief Constable Paul West was invited to Redditch's County Contact meeting by county councillor Tom Wareing, who has recently been critical of Redditch police.

Mr Wareing said he wanted to see more "strapping male officers" on the streets rather than female officers.

At a recent Astwood Bank Neighbourhood Group Meeting, he said large male officers were far more intimidating to troublemakers in Redditch rather than the 'delightful young ladies' he claimed he was seeing more increasingly.

He also said he was disappointed with the lack of special constables on the streets of the town and that more should be done to attract people to a career in the police force.

County Contact meetings give residents a chance to find out more about the services the county council and its partners deliver in the borough.

The meeting tomorrow will start at 7pm at the town hall and the issue of council tax will also be high on the agenda.

Mr West will be joined by county councillor and cabinet member for resources Adrian Hardman and a senior representative from Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade and the meeting will be chaired by councillor John Witherspoon.

Councillors will also be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to discuss individual questions with residents.