A NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch leader has voiced concern about police cover in the Crabbs Cross area.

Cookhill co-ordinator John Fletcher said there had been plans for one sergeant and six officers at the Crabbs Cross station when sector policing was launched across the town 18 months ago.

But he said there had been just one sergeant and, until recently, just two constables who were having to man the whole area from Crabbs Cross to Inkberrow.

Mr Fletcher, who also sits on the Police Community Consultative Group, said: "We have ended up with a low number in comparison.

"There are now three constables and we have been promised another one by the middle of December."

Mr Fletcher said he was aware the areas did not suffer from a high crime rate but people's fear of crime was far higher than the actual crime.

He added: "The police who are at Crabbs Cross at the moment are literally running all the time just to keep up with what's happening and keep abreast of things.

"And they have been doing a wonderful job."

Inspector Dave Shaw, of Redditch police, said: "We are currently following a national trend in the shortage of new recruits. But new recruits are coming on board every month.

"The force will recruit 86 before March 31 next year and we will get our fair share here in Redditch and hopefully we will get up to full strength and be able to provide one sergeant and six constables at Crabbs Cross.

"But it is totally dependent on the number of recruits we get through."