A NEW mobile police contact centre will be out and about in and around Ledbury from next week.

The new vehicle, funded by West Mercia's police and crime commissioner, is the first of its kind in Herefordshire.

It will be used by local Safer Neighbourhood Teams and a wide range of partners, including Herefordshire County Council, to visit towns and villages.

It will provide opportunities for residents to speak directly to officers and other local agencies, and will be equipped with a range of crime prevention advice on a range of topics, particularly rural crime, which is a priority for both the police commissioner and the force.

Superintendent Sue Thomas said: "We are really pleased with the new mobile contact centre. The branding has been designed to be easily recognisable and says to people living and working in rural areas that Rural Matters to police and their partners.

"It will enable people to meet their local policing team and our partners within the community safety partnership, find out what is happening in their area and get the latest crime prevention advice and information on a range of issues from spotting cyber scams to protecting themselves against rogue traders.

"We have listened to what local people have told us and we want to improve the way people living in our more rural and isolated communities can see us, meet us and tell us what is happening. Instead of expecting people to come to our meetings, along with our partners we will go to more places where people come together, for example market days and community events."

The van will make its first appearance at Bosbury village hall on Tuesday, March 1, at 2pm. One Wednesday and Thursday, it will be at the village halls at Colwall and Mathon, and on Friday at the Leys, Cradley, all at 2pm.

On Sunday, March 6, the mobile contact centre will be parked in Ledbury's High Street, on Monday at Putley village hall, on

Tuesday at Eastnor School and on Wednesday at Ashperton village hall, all at 10am.

And the centre's first deployment will finish on Thursday, March 10, with a visit to British Camp at 2pm.

West Mercia deputy police and crime commissioner Barrie Sheldon said: "The people of West Mercia identified rural crime as a priority for them, and that makes it a priority for us and the force."