NEW police officers are being added to teams across the county – but not in Worcester or Malvern.

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion's budget plans have added 115 officers to the force.

A total of 60 officers will be deployed to Worcestershire and Herefordshire, with Droitwich, Evesham and Ledbury to receive 10 each.

But there are no plans to bring new officers to Worcester or Malvern.

Superintendent Damian Pettit, South Worcestershire commander, said: “Currently there are no plans for any of the latest additional officers to be based in Worcester or Malvern. However both areas have seen recent increases in resources including additional supervision and new recruits.

“All of our resources are deployed to prioritised demand across our police area. Our enforcement activity is focused around the people who present the greatest risk and our safeguarding actions around those who are most at risk.”

The recruitment drive is being paid for with increases to council tax, with an increase of around £1.63 per month for a band D property in the region.

The extra officers will bring the number of officers in West Mercia to its highest number since 2012. Extra money for rural crime, CCTV, road safety and crime prevention initiatives is also included in the new plans.

West Mercia PCC John Campion said: “I promised I would ensure our police force has the resources needed to keep our communities safe. My budget provides the resources that the Chief Constable has told me he needs to deliver key service improvements around officer visibility and accessibility, emergency response times and victim satisfaction. I will continue to both hold the force to account, and support them, to ensure those improvements are delivered.

“I also promised I would listen and respond to community voices as Commissioner. This budget shows how I am delivering on that promise. Our communities have consistently said they want more police, more visible, and more effective measures to tackle crime. That is what my budget delivers.

“I will work tirelessly to ensure these extra resources deliver the best value and return on investment for our communities, and help build a safer West Mercia.”

Mr Campion’s plans were scrutinised and approved by West Mercia’s Police and Crime Panel at a meeting on February 7.