THIS month I want to introduce readers to the Kidderminster East Local Policing Team.

The teams are based in the police bases located in Grasmere Close and the Comberton Estate.

On March 31 Sgt Louise Meeson, local policing sergeant for Kidderminster town centre, extended her remit to include the whole East side of Kidderminster including the town centre.

Sgt Meeson, who has 15 years experience as a police officer, has been responsible for the town for the last four years. She is an extremely experienced and capable officer, who has spent her entire police career on various roles within North Worcestershire division, including response, CID, and supervisor of the public service desk.

She replaces Sgt Kevin Lane, who has moved on to a new local policing role.

There have been some other moves within the Kidderminster East Local Policing Team.

Pc Kevin Fincher is now responsible for Broadwaters and Pc Phil Green now covers Spennells. Pcs Sarah Brooks and Jon Challoner retain respective responsibility for Offmore/Comberton and Greenhill and Pc Clive Llewellyn retains ownership of the town centre.

All of our local policing officers are ably assisted by their community support officers.

Wyre Forest District Council took over responsibility for stray dogs from the police on April 1, and the Wyre Forest Customer Service Centre at the Worcestershire Hub can be contacted on 01562 732928 during office hours.

Out of office hours the number to ring is 01562 850053. Please do not bring stray dogs to the police station - we do not have any facilities to look after them - or telephone us to report lost or found dogs.

The council will arrange for dogs to be cared for at a local kennels for seven days, after which, as happened previously, they will go to a local animal charity which will try to re-home them.

The police will, however, continue to take details of dogs which have been stolen.

CHIEF INSPECTOR JIM BAKER KIDDERMINSTER POLICE