A COUNCILLOR in Worcester has had to defend himself against claims he doesn't see night-time crime as a priority.

Councillor David Wilkinson, the city's cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, has been criticised for not attending a police operation on Friday, November 14 to see police night life patrols first hand.

Last week West Mercia Police launched Operation Postop2, aimed at preparing for the busy festive period ahead for the city's pubs and clubs.

Among those who did attend the operation, after an open invitation went out, included a reporter from your Worcester News, deputy police and crime commissioner Barrie Sheldon, councillors representing the city centre such as Cllr Jabba Riaz and Lynn Denham and city council licensing staff.

Cllr Wilkinson, a Conservative, has a wide-ranging role at the city council including oversight for CCTV, links with the police, licensing and policies to make Worcester safer.

His brief is among the widest of all city council cabinet members and also includes housing and leisure, with the saga over a new swimming pool at Perdiswell taking up a lot of his time in recent months.

Cllr Denham, a Labour politician who sat in the cabinet herself last year before her party was ousted from power, initiated a similar police project in 2013.

Speaking during a full council meeting, she said: "According to the Viewpoint Survey (a public sector survey posted to homes) Worcester residents consistently rate 'level of crime' as the most important thing in making somewhere a good place to live.

"Although I sympathise with the cabinet member for the broad remit of his responsibilities, can he explain why time spent trying to justify an eight-lane swimming pool is more important than attending community safety meetings with partner organisations?"

The Conservative rejected the criticism and said the pool project has been taking up considerable time.

Cllr Wilkinson said: "I would hesitate to say 'project X is more important than project Y'.

"Of course the swimming pool project is important, it took up a lot of time, but I'll be working very hard to ensure I give everything an equal level of importance."