POLICE IN ASTON DRIVE TOWARDS SAFER STREETS THANKS TO LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP

POLICE in Aston will be boosted with the arrival of extra officers and stepping up patrols in the area thanks to funding from a local regeneration scheme.

Officers from Queens Road police station have successfully secured funding for a new personnel carrier which will be used by training officers to patrol the area of Aston. This addition to police transport will contribute towards the development of training officers and enable them to provide extra policing in the area.

Police received funding for the personnel carrier from Aston Pride New Deal for Communities, which is a local regeneration scheme dedicated to improving the lives of those living in the Aston area.

Aston Pride New Deal for Communities is committed to tackling many key areas that affect the lives of local residents, including job prospects, health, education and housing. The continued fight against crime is a key area where Aston Pride and the police can work together.

The funding from Aston Pride will have many benefits not only for the student officers but also for members of the local community. The increase in police activity is aimed at reassuring the local community and providing a visible deterrent to criminal activity.

The student officers will be involved in a range police activities while out on patrol in Aston, which will include vehicle safety checks, traffic operations and community reassurance visits. The personnel carrier will provide the student officers with suitable transport to complete these duties.

Sergeant Stephen Regan, who leads the team of training officers, said: “I would like to thank Aston Pride for the new student transport. Members of the local community can expect to see more officers on the street, which will hopefully increase the feeling of safety among the local residents.

“The funding provided by Aston Pride to purchase a new personnel carrier will benefit the community in many ways, as well as contributing towards the development of our training officers.”

For further information about future police activity and local initiatives in your neighbourhood, please call 0845 113 5000 or visit the force website at www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/queensroad.