A POLICING board has praised the work of officers in south Worcester-shire for their “excellent work” over the past year.

Paul Deneen, chairman of South Worcestershire Policing Board, said there had been a number of notable achievements by officers, police staff and volunteers to keep crime in the area down.

A public survey revealed how local policing teams achieved 91 per cent visibility within their communities, exceeding the 80 per cent target.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, incidents of anti-social behaviour across south Worcestershire were down from 19,952 in 2009/10 to 17,957 in 2010/11. The number of domestic burglaries was down from 966 in 2008/09 to 809 last year.

The detection rates of 51 per cent for serious violence against the person and 31 per cent for serious sexual offences were both significantly above the set target.

A survey of victims and witnesses revealed 86 per cent were satisfied with the service compared with 83 per cent in 2008/9.

At a policing board meeting this month, praise was also given for funding places on the Nutz4Soccer sessions which took place at Bishop Perowne School, in Worcester, over the Easter holidays.

Mr Deneen, said: “I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Superintendent Stephen Cullen and his senior team, including police officers, police staff and volunteers for their excellent work in ensuring that Worcester city and the surrounding area is a safe place to work, live, study and visit.”

The South Worcester-shire Policing Board is made up of West Mercia Police Authority members Paul Deneen and Zad Padda, Councillor Bob Bullock and Councillor Andy Roberts.

The board meets regularly with Supt Cullen, territorial commander, to monitor the policing plan in south Worcestershire.

Visit westmerciapoliceauthority.gov.uk