SOLIHULL’S rurals neighbourhood policing team moved to a new hub closer to the communities they serve.
The team, along with some Solihull Response officers, joined the Dog Unit at Balsall Common.
West Midlands Police said they ere previously based at Solihull police station but moved to make better use of the space at the dog unit and reduce time spent travelling between the area they patrol and their office.
The rurals team cover 42square miles of homes, farms, parks and shopping centres, and have the biggest neighbourhood area in the West Midlands.
They look after the close-knit communities of Dorridge, Knowle, Hockley Heath, Catherine De Barnes, Berkswell, Meriden, Bickenhill, Barston, Chadwick End, Hampton-in-Arden and Balsall Common as well as those who work and visit the NEC and Resorts World.
The move comes as part of the new local policing model introduced in April with the aim enabling officers to work more closely with communities to deliver justice and keep people safe.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “One of my top priorities is to rebuild community policing to prevent, tackle and reduce crime. This is vital to keep people, their families and communities safe and secure.
“I am delighted to see the team moving to be closer to the area they serve, because this will allow them to forge even closer ties with the local community and be on hand even faster when called upon.”
