Whitchurch plea for more police on the beat

People in Whitchurch want more police on the beat to combat an apparent fear of night-time crime and drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour, a survey has found.

The survey, part of the new Whitchurch Town and Parish Plan, found three quarters of residents want more beat bobbies.

It also showed 63 per cent of residents felt unsafe at night because of anti-social behaviour and drink and drug-related crime.

The survey was sent to 4,300 homes and 300 businesses. Just under 30 per cent of those contacted took part in the survey.

Police today said the town was adequately covered, adding that crime levels were low compared with others in the region.

West Mercia Police spoke- swoman Maria Wilkinson, said: "As this report shows, actual crime levels are low in Whitchurch when compared to many other places in the country and indeed, elsewhere in the region.

"The fear and perception of crime is almost always greater than actual levels.

"Whitchurch is well policed, with 24-hour response cover in addition to two dedicated local policing officers and four community support officers covering both the town centre and rural areas.

"These officers spend the vast majority of their time out and about patrolling and meeting with their communities."