Increased Police Presence for Christmas Period

Additional police officers will be deployed for patrols across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Shropshire starting this weekend. West Mercia Police confirmed the launch of Operation Christmas Presence, an initiative set to commence ahead of what the force anticipates will be some of the busiest nights of the year. The force indicated that these police officers, including some operating in plain clothes, will collaborate with licensing officers, Street Pastors, and town rangers. The area’s police and crime commissioner expressed his desire for officers to be more visible “so that crime and anti-social behaviour is tackled promptly, and people are not only safe but feel safe too”. Supt Brian Gibbs from the force underscored the message that “being drunk is no excuse for causing disorder or criminality”.