WORCESTER MP Robin Walker walked the thin blue line during an afternoon with the West Mercia Local Policing Priorities Team to experience what it’s like to be on the front line of crime prevention.
The West Mercia Local Policing Priorities Team (LPPT) is a new division funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, which provides a visible policing response and presence to increase public reassurance and disrupt criminal networks.
The LPPT’s priorities include ending child sexual exploitation, serious organised crime, domestic violence, burglary and dangerous driving. The South West Mercia LPPT comprises 22 uniformed officers across Worcestershire and Herefordshire who provide highly visible patrols gathering intelligence, and targeting criminal behaviours.
“I was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with officers in Worcester last week, witnessing first-hand the types of issues that face West Mercia Police and the nature of their work in Worcester,” Mr Walker said.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank police officers up and down the country, but especially in Worcester, for working around the clock to keep us safe. I’d also like to thank West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion for his role in establishing this unit and allocating funding.”
Grant Fraser, the LPPT Sergeant who allowed Robin to accompany him on his duties, said: “In a short period of time Mr Walker has witnessed the team attempt to locate and arrest outstanding high risk offenders wanted on warrant, conducted drugs related stop searches, targeted travelling criminals with further stops, and assisted in dealing with a potentially serious Road Traffic Collision.
“This followed work earlier in the week executing warrants in relation to County Lines Drug Supply.”
