A NEW uniformed police team are hitting the streets across the county.

The new Local Policing Priority Team (LPPT) is made up of 22 uniformed officers covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire, which West Mercia Police says includes the city.

Last month the Worcester News reported that the force lost nearly 100 front line officers over the last three years, while violent crime has increased in the area, according to Home Office figures.

The new team is set to carry out highly visible patrols, both on foot and in police vehicles, in areas where crime has recently taken place or areas that may be vulnerable to travelling criminality.

The team is designed to increase public reassurance and focus on the force’s local policing priorities including child sexual exploitation, serious organised crime, domestic violence, burglary and safer roads.

Officers on the team will also gather intelligence, target, disrupt and prevent crime, West Mercia Police says.

Chief Superintendent Mark Travis said: “It is anticipated the new LPPT will enable us to manage demand more effectively, allowing us to proactively tackle high harm issues such as serious and organised crime including county lines drug dealing, violent crime, CSE and human trafficking.

“The new team will be a visible, uniformed presence on the streets of our communities throughout Herefordshire, North and South Worcestershire and will focus on our local policing priorities which include disrupting and preventing individuals’ involvement in SOC, protecting the vulnerable and reducing the impact of SOC on the community as part of our new protect campaign.”

For more on the LPPT’s role and the work the team will be carrying out follow them on twitter @LPPTSWestMercia.