Police chief sets out his vision for town

Telford's police chief today set out his vision for Telford as he highlighted tackling anti-social behaviour and burglaries as priorities.

And Acting Chief Superintendent James Tozer said the public played an important part in helping officers.

Mr Tozer, who has been in post since the start of this month, said officers were working closely with partners and communities to reduce offences across the division, which includes Wellington and Newport.

He said tackling burglaries was one of his passions and also raised the importance of cracking down on anti-social behaviour.

Mr Tozer praised the public who came forward to give vital information to assist in investigations and said he sent thank you letters to those who had helped.

"I have been really really impressed by the volume and quality of information. I have a file of thank you letters I am sending to people who have helped us with incidents," he said.

"I'm pleased with the level of support we have."

The 44-year-old, of Shrewsbury, who has been in the police for 18 years, said the number of frontline officers had increased in that time.

He said: "We are responding to a higher number of non-crime incidents that occur, such as anti-social behaviour, quality of life issues."

He said police tried to be as visible as possible and community support officers helped with that.

With Telford expanding over the next few years with projects like the £250 million Southwater Square development, Mr Tozer said at present he was not expecting to get more police officers.

But he said he would have to work more effectively with what they had got.

He also raised the importance of Partners and Communities Together groups where the public could raise issues, such as speeding and anti-social issues. He said it gave people the chance to speak to their local police team.

Mr Tozer added: "Policing is simple but it should not be lonely. We need the public and we need them to work with us."

By Lisa Rowley

• The Telford division has 20 local policing teams and 47 community support officers.

• About half of the burglaries in the Telford division are committed by opportunist offenders.

• The public can help by making sure they do not leave doors unlocked or windows open, or valuable items in full view.

• The police are keen to continue work with other agencies.

• The police see the community as playing an important role in assisting them with investigating crime.

• Mr Tozer said he would continue to work to drive down crime, as well as tackling anti-social behaviour and other issues which mattered to the local community.