AN angry councillor has hit out at comments made by West Mercia police about the frequency of its patrols through a village.

Tom Wells said that comments made by a police spokesman in a Worcester News article about vandalism in Callow End, near Malvern, have sparked outrage.

He said the remark that officers "frequently" patrolled the area, on foot, in high-profile patrol cars and unmarked vehicles was "preposterous".

"The village is infuriated by this suggestion," said Mr Wells, who is both a Malvern Hills District and Worcester-shire County councillor. "It just doesn't happen. While our council tax contribution towards West Mercia has risen sharply in recent years, we have definitely not seen a commensurate increase in a visible police presence in our village. Indeed, it often feels that we are totally unprotected, whether it be from speeding motorists, acts of vandalism, or even more serious crime."

Coun Wells praised the work of the village beat manager, Alan Naulls, but said his resources were stretched and officers were becoming held back by red tape. "I am concerned that the increasing bureaucracy imposed on the police means the average officer can spend more time filling in reports and record keeping than actually on patrol," he added.

Brian Moriarty, aged 62, of Beauchamp Lane, Callow End, said: "I speak on a frequent basis to many villagers and nobody can remember seeing an officer on foot here.

"The local people here are angry that the police keep making weak excuses for the total lack of protection in rural areas."

Coun Wells urged anyone with concerns about safety to contact him at County Hall.

A spokesman for Worcester police said: "The fact that members of the public do not always see officers does not mean that they are not patrolling the area."

He said that residents often did not see officers, because they were on patrol at times when there were few people around and often, covertly in unmarked vehicles.

The spokesman appealed to anyone who has information relating to incidents of vandalism, anti-social behaviour or crime to contact 08457 444888, or give their information anonymously to Crime

Stoppers on 0800 555 111.