Officers hailing funfair strategy

Four people were arrested in Shifnal during its carnival weekend after extra police were drafted in to crack down on any trouble.

Officers had liaised with funfair organisers after trouble at the attraction in recent years.

About 14 extra officers were brought in last weekend to ensure the event took place without major incident.

Police said today that as a result, there were just four arrests during the weekend and much fewer incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour in comparison to previous years.

The funfair is held alongside the carnival, which takes place on Saturday.

Sergeant Richard Bailey said: "The policing of the funfair was extremely effective and helped ensure that carnival weekend was once again the family event it is supposed to be.

"We also worked very closely with licensees in the town, who gave us their full support, in keeping any alcohol-fueled anti-social behaviour was kept to an absolute minimum. PubWatch also worked very well.

"The weekend was extremely busy, especially on Saturday with the good weather, after rain ended things early the previous day.

"We will continue to liaise with the organisers to ensure the situation remains the same next year."

Police in Shifnal also put up a stand in the middle of the fair, inviting visitors to go along and meet their local officers and find out more about policing in the town.