A NEW police base has opened on the Comberton estate in Kidderminster and more are planned for other parts of the town, such as the deprived Horsefair and Oldington and Foley Park areas.

The first office to open - in Queen Elizabeth Road, Comberton - is for use by police officers and community support officers when they patrol the area and can be visited by members of the public who want to report a crime.

Neighbourhood wardens will also use the building, which has been donated by Wyre Forest Community Housing.

Although there are no set opening times for the office yet, members of the public will be able to call in when the office is open and speak to officers about any concerns they have.

PC Bob Fearnall, Wyre Forest East beat manager, said: "This is the first office to open on an estate in the Kidderminster area and others are planned as part of a move towards local, community focused policing.

"It gives us a base in the heart of the community and means we can work more closely with our partners from the housing organisation and local councillors."

The move has been welcomed enthusiastically by Wyre Forest District councillor for the area, Mike Oborski, who is also chairman of the Offmore Comberton Action Group. He said residents were "absolutely delighted" with the new police office.

He added morale in the area was already "extremely high" after a series of anti-social behaviour orders had reduced yobbish behaviour and the Borrington Road Skate Park gave young people somewhere to go to enjoy themselves. He described the police station as "another step forward".

He said: "It's good news for everyone in the area."

Mr Oborski added the police played an integral role in the action group and "one of the big steps forward over the last few years has been the fact we now work together".

He added: "There are always going to be problems and some idiot who causes a bit of bother - that's life - but the point is it's now manageable and people feel in control of the environment."

Yvonne Leishman, director of the Community Housing Group, which Wyre Forest Community Housing is part of, added: "We are delighted to support the initiative which, we believe, will bring real benefits for the local community."