WEST Mercia Police has unveiled new Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Teams (NCFTs) with dedicated officers ‘on the ground’, tackling issues residents want prioritised.
The first NCFTs have been deployed across south Worcestershire, including Droitwich Spa, and Shropshire – 55 officers have been recruited for the five teams with each local policing areas (LPA) having a sergeant leading a group of police constables.
The force says the NCFTs will be working hard to keep persistent offenders off the streets and reduce levels of high impact crimes such as anti-social behaviour, drugs, major thefts, and criminal damage.
The NCFTs are being billed as ‘fast-responding high visibility teams’ who aim to tackle offences with the highest causes of harm to the public.
The new ‘rapid serious crime response teams’ are already in place and supporting the work of Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), Problem Solving Teams, Roads Policing, Proactive Teams and the wider force.
Chief Constable, Pippa Mills, said the NCFTs were committed to keeping people safe from harm, adding they had already achieved some results in the scheme’s opening weeks.
“We never underestimate the reassurance police visibility gives to our communities.
“These new teams increase the numbers of dedicated officers in your area, with a focus on tackling the crimes that impact you the most where you live.”
DI Dave Knight, from South Worcestershire Police, said it was a significant investment in officers and the NCFTs had already made 14 arrests, targeting the area’s highest harm individuals.
They have carried out many hours of uniform foot patrol in areas identified as a concern by the local community.
He added their efforts, through the foot patrols, had dramatically reduced criminality by arresting and charging suspects over high value burglaries, Class A drug dealing, seizing weapons and recall to prison.
“Our SNTs have never before had a bespoke team to support them on the criminality that affects our communities.”
The scheme is funded by Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion who said he was delivering on calls for officers to be more visible and accessible in communities and that he was delighted to see the NCFTs – the first of their kind in West Mercia – up-and-running.
The teams for Herefordshire, North Worcestershire and Telford will be in place from September.
- WHAT do you think? What crimes and issues would you like to see tackled in Droitwich Spa? Email [email protected] or write to us at the address on page eight.
