A WORCESTER parish council has questioned the lack of police presence at its monthly meetings.

Warndon parish councillors said the local policing officer and community support officer (CSO) were once regular faces at the Monday night meetings, which were followed every other month by a PACT (Police and Com-munities Together) meeting.

Speaking after this month’s meeting, vice-chairman Marc Bayliss, who stood in for chairman Ray Morris, said members would be keen to see a local police presence back at the meetings.

Coun Bayliss said: “When Nick Davies was beat manager he used to come to the meetings quite often and we used to get a CSO from time to time. Tim [Wood], I don’t think I’ve seen at a parish council meeting.

“There are a number of issues we get to discuss on low-level disorder matters and it would be good to have a member of the police hear what we are talking about and update us on some of their actions.”

The matter was raised after Councillor Ted Holloway addressed the council about a resident’s concerns over the behaviour of young people.

He said: “A group of reckless young men are riding mini motorcycles up the footpath between the top of Trotshill Way and Tesco and are removing the safety barrier. If anyone gets in their way, they are likely to get hurt.

“They are not wearing any protective gear. They are not only a danger to themselves, but to the general public.

“We need to speak to the police about it, we haven’t had a police officer here for quite some time.”

Police have now increased patrols in the area to tackle anti-social behaviour. Local policing sergeant Sara Goodman said attendance of officers at the meetings is down to the needs of the area.

She said: “Warndon Villages isn’t exactly a criminal hotspot, we just sort of play it by ear. Going to a meeting that may drag on for hours is not a good use of limited resources, but I will be encouraging them to attend.

“I want them to be visible so the like of the parish council know who to go to.”