THE new police team at Tenbury Wells has been welcomed by local residents who are already beginning to feel that the change of responsibility to Worcester is have a positive effect.

One resident was so surprised to see a police officer out and about in a yellow jacket before 8am that he thought he was a new road sweeper.

Cllr. Margaret Austin said: "You see them around all the time, day and night, and it's lovely to see them and very reassuring, particularly for the older people.

"It was very quiet on the streets after the Regal concert last Saturday but they were still out and about in the patrol vehicle."

Inspector Neville Sheldric heads the Tenbury team.

He said: "We want to work in partnership with our community and help maintain the good quality of life which Tenbury enjoys. I would just like to remind the people that common courtesy and thinking of others within their town are vital in a small community like this and I would ask people to carefully consider any actions that would cause distress or nuisance to their fellow residents."

"Most residents will of course be law-abiding citizens and the only contact they will have with police officers is when they see them walking the beat, attending local meetings or carrying out inquiries as part of an investigation. It is our intention to work with the community at all aspects of our role and we will enforce the law," he added.