The Ludlow Safer Neighbourhood Team, a group of local police officers dedicated to serving the community, has summarised its achievements over recent months.

At a meeting of Ludlow Town Council, the team reported the arrest of five prolific individuals, who are either on bail or have been charged and are awaiting sentencing, in relation to various offences in the Ludlow area, including shoplifting, driving offences and burglaries.

In addition, two similar behaviour orders have been secured on another two prolific individuals responsible for a large proportion of shoplifting offences in Ludlow.

This means that they are effectively banned from certain shops in the town. Merely entering these shops will constitute an offence. Both are currently in prison for theft or breaching their criminal behaviour order.

In terms of drugs, the police continue to both proactively, overtly and covertly patrol areas where they have intelligence where drug supply may be taking place.

"We are out actively stop searching individuals where grounds to search them exist," they added in the report submitted to the Town Council.

They had, their report said, noticed a reduction in the number of persons they are aware of associating with drugs, out and about, but recognised that that more can be done.

"We rely on members of the public feeding intelligence to us to apply to the courts for warrants. The public can do this to us directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers, or if they prefer, and there is a housing officer who will share information with the police."

ASB (anti social behaviour) driving is another area where the Safer Neighbourhood Team recognises more can be done.

With a limited staff base in the team, the focus has been on the increase in the shoplifting area.

With improvements in dealing with these offences, they are able to focus more on ASB driving.

One arrest has been made for driving offences.

The team's report concluded by saying that any feedback from members of the public and the council are welcome.

Visit neighbourhoodmatters.co.uk/Content/LocalArea/58896/Ludlow for contact details for the members of the Ludlow Safer Neighbourhood Team.