MORE bobbies are set to go on the beat as police numbers hit an all-time high.

There are now 2,400 officers covering the West Mercia region, the highest number since the authority was formed in 1967.

And the new chief constable, Paul West, who took over the running of West Mercia Police on Monday, is planning to increase the police presence on the streets through foot patrols and mobile patrols.

The force pledged to recruit an extra 300 officers by April 2003 using funds made available through an increase of 50 pence a week in the average council tax bill.

However, the recruitment campaign Be Somebody has proved to be so successful that the force has attracted a total of 380 new recruits.

Mr West said he was "delighted" with the success of the campaign.

"This is excellent news for communities across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, who will all benefit from an extra police presence on the streets, particularly as more new recruits complete their initial training during the coming months.

"Having taken over my new role, I'm determined these additional resources will be used to their best effect to continue to improve the quality of life and levels of service for the communities we serve."

One in three of the new recruits is an experienced officer who has joined West Mercia from another force.

"I wish to pay tribute to the tremendous work and commitment of all those involved in reaching our recruitment target who have achieved a blend of new recruits and experienced transferees," said Mr West.

"Many of the officers who have joined us are already making a difference, working with colleagues in all parts of the force area."

Bob Forster, chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, said he was glad the force had used the extra funding so effectively.

"Mr West is taking over a force that is committed to making the areas we live in safer for everyone," said Mr Forster.

"These extra officers will help to reinforce our commitment to the communities it serves."

...but where's the officer for Upton?

VIGILANTE groups could be set up in Upton-upon-Severn, with angry residents threatening to take the law into their own hands.

The news comes as West Mercia police announced officer numbers have hit an all time high, and they will be putting more bobbies on the beat.

But the announcement came too late to pacify Upton people, who have been calling for a bobby on the beat for three years now, because of regular Friday and Saturday night disturbances involving underage drinkers, drug-taking, fights and vandalism.

The rumblings of discontent followed a public meeting with the police, when 140 residents heard Chief Supt Simon Adams say they lived in a low crime area.

He said 117 incidents of disorder, including 60 in public places or licensed premises, had been reported from Upton in the last year.

There had been 232 crimes, less than one a day.

David Walker, who lives in the town centre, said: "There is discussion of setting up vigilante groups in the town.

"If things carry on the way they are going, without active policing, someone is going to react, because there is extreme frustration.

"If you see your property being vandalised on a regular basis, are you going to sit back and do nothing about it?"

High Street butcher Richard Myers took a similar view.

"If something isn't done soon, I have a feeling there will be something on the lines of vigilantes. Someone is going to end up in trouble," he said.

Chief Inspector Sharon Gibbons said: "Police do not support vigilante activity of this nature. I would encourage local people to become involved in the Rural Safety Initiative.

"I'm disappointed that more people have not taken up this opportunity so far."