More police officers will be needed to tackle crime in Telford if £1 billion plans to transform the town’s shopping centre and build thousands of homes get the go-ahead, police said today.

Chief Superintendent Pete Robinson, of Telford police, said the extra licensed premises the plans would create would mean more officers were needed in the town.

He said he had already raised the issue with senior West Mercia force officers and it was now time to convince the Government.

“We are getting to a position where Telford is going to grow,” he said. “We are going to have lots more houses and a bigger town centre.

“It could cause more problems, but if we do things properly and manage to get hold on how licensing should work then we should be able to create a night-time economy for the town centre which is safe.

“It is something I have already mentioned to the chief officers. I have given my commitment and as the plans and time scales become clearer we will know how we can keep the profile of policing correct for the level of the community.

“The Government need convincing there is a business case to bring more policing to the town.

“We will deliver something that is giving the town a good nightlife, but it’s got to be safe for everyone.”

Mr Robinson said the transformation would see Telford become more like a city, but assured people he would be changing his policing structure with the area.

Mr Robinson said he wo- uld be involved in the design stage with the Hark Group and Apollo Real Estate Advisors, which bought the centre in June for £450 million.