MALVERN'S first female beat sergeant has big plans to get tough on drug crime.

Sgt Sara Goodman is looking forward to the challenges ahead and intends to tackle the town's drug problem head-on.

"My initial understanding is that drug dealing seems to have quite a high impact in the community, so we're certainly going to take positive action about the problem," she said.

"People who deal can expect to be stop-checked on a regular basis and addresses may be searched if there is intelligence to support it."

This could have serious consequences for suspected dealers who live in housing association properties.

Sgt Goodman explained: "As we work with the housing association it could mean they may have a less secure tenancy or may even be rendered homeless."

Sgt Goodman replaces Robert Werner-de-Sondberg, who has retired after more than 30 years in the police force. Having been a sergeant for 20 of them, he worked in both the uniform and plain clothes sections.

He said the role of beat manager was the most challenging of all.

Sgt Werner-de-Sondberg plans to pursue a second career in occupational psychology, after completing a doctorate in the subject with the University of East London.

Beat managers or 'beat bobbies' have been working in Malvern for years, tackling medium and long-term crime, not responding to emergency calls.

They work in partnership with other organisations, like local councils and housing associations, to solve various problems affecting people's quality of life.

Addressing anti-social behaviour is a major part of a beat manager's job.

Contact your beat manager on 08457 444888.