A NEW police base to provide residents with a local point of contact has opened at Birchen Coppice Middle School.

It is believed to be the first in North Worcestershire to be sited in school grounds. At present, it is a temporary building but it is hoped that in the future it can be incorporated into the main school building.

It follows the opening of another police base on the Comberton estate in September and more are planned.

It has been financed by the Pathfinder project, a Home Office-funded scheme for partnership working involving representatives of schools, health, the police and other organisations to improve conditions on Birchen Coppice, which is one of Worcestershire's most deprived estates.

Beat manager, PC Dean Cave, said: "The opening of this base shows our commitment to local policing. Opening times are to be confirmed but it means members of the local community will be able to go and meet police officers and community support officers several times a week.

"It will be a point of contact for residents, which is easier for them to get to than the police station if they need to discuss local issues. It is about taking policing out to the community."

Inspector Paul Crowley said: "This move demonstrates our commitment to local policing and having teams of officers dedicated to a specific area dealing with local issues at a local level in partnership with other organisations and the community.

"We hope the residents of Birchen Coppice will get to know their local officers and work with them to build on the improvements that have already been made on the estate."

Sue Meekings, district councillor for Oldington and Foley Park said: "I think it is excellent that we have something literally in the heart of the community, which gives easy access to all the local residents there. I think it will further improve us all working together."