A FULL-TIME sergeant, more officers on the beat, including a detective-constable and a part-time civilian desk clerk, have been promised by West Mercia Police.

After repeated public concerns that something must be done over crime in the area, senior officers have responded positively.

From next month, the Tenbury station will merge into the Malvern Hills District under Divisional Commander, Superintendent Simon Adams.

Immediate responsibility for Tenbury falls to Inspector Neville Sheldrick and Sergeant Sean Kent.

The new chief comes well experienced in community policing.

Introducing his team to Tenbury Town Council last week, he said: "Sergeant Kent is already putting the team together, a sergeant, six response officers, and a detective, to provide a better police presence."

Inspector Sheldrick added: "People need to be reassured. Once the change comes, residents can expect to see more uniforms in and out of town."

Councillors also heard that plans for re-activating public access to the police station in Berrington Road, which has been a major cause for the public, will go some way to easing public worries.

More than 30 people have applied for the post of part-time desk clerk and once the appointment has been made, times of opening will be published in the Advertiser.

Sergeant Kent hopes to be in the post at Tenbury for at least two years. He said: "Continuity is important. The key to success is to be accessible as often as possible and I want the community to get to know me so that I can address all their concerns. I shall be making contacts and attending meetings."

Superintendent Simon Adams added: "I know there are also concerns over police response times but things have changed. Although we will be operating right across the Teme Valley, we now have highly-effective communications to link us to hi-tech response systems.

"From April, Tenbury will no longer be on the edge of somewhere, it will be brought into the loop and treated equally with Malvern and Upton."