TENBURY Wells has a new police community support officer (PCSO) joining the team.

Tenbury and Martley's Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) has welcomed PCSO Abigail Partridge, who will be working alongside the current staff, PC Paul Lawman and PCSO Deb Abbott at the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service station, where the police are currently based.

While Tenbury is their base, the team also covers surrounding parishes, including Great Witley, Abberley, Hallow and Bayton.

PCSO Patridge said: "Since being a little girl I always knew I wanted to be able to help people through smooth and rough times, a friendly and reassuring face people feel comfortable to come to about whatever they need."

The other PCSO, Abbott, is already a familiar face in Tenbury and said: "I joined the team in January 2022. Before this, I was a housing officer and familiar with Tenbury. I think that getting to know the community that you work in is vital and you become approachable."

Both PCSOs support PC Lawman, who said: "I joined the team in April 2023 bringing front-line policing to reduce crime and increase public confidence in the police."

Tenbury councillor David Chambers recently asserted that poor policing contributed to the increased crime rate in and around the town. A resident, Mary Stone-Belben, also spoke out about local crime, stating that she had heard about increased break-ins of vans. 

This came after data published in May this year showed that reported violence and sex offences had increased to an average of 10 per month in Tenbury, making up half of all reported crimes in the area.

In light of this data, Inspector Dave Wise, who oversees the Malvern Hills and Wychavon SNT, said: "We acknowledge the worries surrounding vehicle crime and the repercussions these offences can have and we encourage reporting incidents. PC Lawman and the PCSOs are resolutely focused on building connections with the community, promptly identifying and addressing concerns, and tirelessly working to maintain the policing area."

The crime rate in Tenbury remains lower than the average across the UK, at 75.54 per 1,000 people compared to the national rate of 75.88.