Force to increase 'officer visibility'

Force to increase 'officer visibility'

The Force wants to improve public reassurance

West Midlands Police has set itself a target for all officers to spend at least 60% of their time outside the police station or on uniform patrol.

It is the first time the Force has set such a target and comes just days after the latest in a number of high profile shootings in Birmingham.

On Monday, father-of two Mohammed Sabir was shot dead in the Lozells area of Birmingham - the fifth fatal shooting in the neighbourhood since September.

While in January, two teenage girls were gunned down in Aston after being caught up in the crossfire of two rival gangs.

'Encourage safety'

West Midlands Police says it wants to improve public reassurance and by increasing the visibility of its officers on the streets.

The Force is also awaiting government approval to place an additional 40 community support officers onto the streets, who will work alongside the regular police.

Deputy Chief Constable Chris Sims said: "Over the last few years we have considerably increased the number of officers available for duty on the streets.

"There will never be enough police officers to satisfy the demand for 'bobbies on the beat' but we do have an important part to play in increasing public reassurance and encouraging feelings of safety and security.

"The best way we can achieve that is by being out in the community, where people can see us."

He said the move to sector policing - where officers are responsible for policing local areas and are accountable to their communities - had been very successful and a similar model was being adopted by police forces all over the country.