THE Safer Neighbourhood Teams for Kidderminster and Stourport will be undergoing changes over the next month as officers take on some new areas.

Stourport Safer Neighbourhood Team will now be policed by PC Andrew Wallace who has been working in the Kidderminster East local policing area. While, PC Derya Mustafa will move from patrol policing to provide temporary cover for the Kidderminster East area.

Current Stourport officer, PC Mark Edwards, will be moving to cover the Broadwaters area. PC Edwards has been at Stourport for 20 months and in that time has done a lot of work to bring the community together through the use of a Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page, as well as targeting the most regular offenders in the area.

PC Sam Maher, who has been temporarily covering Stourport, will move to Kidderminster North. While PC Sarah Brooks, for Broadwaters, and PC Richard Leek, for Kidderminster North, have been offered new opportunities to progress.

The changes will come into place at the start of May and follow on from both a new sergeant and inspector for Wyre Forest - with Inspector James Ashton and Sgt Frances Thorpe have been in their posts since March.

Inspector Ashton said: "These changes will have a positive impact on our community.

"The officers who are moving will be supported by their Police Community Support Officers who will ensure a smooth transition for both the officer and the community.

"I hope the community will make them feel welcome and feel comfortable to stop and chat with them when they see them out on patrol."