TRAINEE police officers have been on the beat with housing staff to find out how anti-social behaviour affects the community first hand.

The initiative to help student police officers understand ASB issues on the ground has been launched by West Mercia Police and Kemble Housing, part of the Bromsgrove-based West Mercia Housing Group, which manages 23,500 homes across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands.

The first new recruits took part in a day in the life of Kemble Housing staff, which included visiting one of the association’s largest developments in Credenhill, near Hereford, to listen to residents and housing officers.

The day also included a tour of Kemble Housing’s offices to meet staff who help the police to tackle ASB issues.

The association’s Housing Management Team were on hand to discuss the types of anti-social behaviour cases which West Mercia Police can encounter on a day-to-day basis.

Student officer Henry King-Salter took time out from his training at West Mercia Police’s headquarters in Hindlip, Worcester to attend the day.

He said: “I really enjoyed the day with Kemble Housing.

"It was interesting just seeing how they function and the issues they face.

“One of the main reasons for these types of placements is so that we can build up relationships with other organisations.

"If I need to work with Kemble Housing in a professional capacity it will be nice that I already know several of the housing officers and staff.”

The recently-established partnership got underway after West Mercia contacted Kemble Housing to ask for help in giving student officers a taste of life in its local patrol areas and to share the housing association’s expertise in dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Karen Pritchard, assistant director for Kemble Housing, said: “We’re pleased to share our experience.

"Above all, we hope that this new partnership will enable police and Kemble Housing staff to better understand each other’s roles and spur us on to work together more effectively in the future.”