BIDFORD residents have voiced their fears for the future of policing in the village after its beat officer of 20 years announced his retirement.

PC Peter Batacanin has said that he plans to retire from Warwickshire Police at the end of October and there is a strong possibility that his replacement may not live on the Bidford beat - as he does - but will operate from Alcester.

The beat covers several surrounding villages such as Salford Priors, Dunnington, Marlcliff, and Binton, but residents are concerned about not having a police contact in their village.

Gillian Whitehouse, of Saxonfields Residents Association, said: "I've lived in Bidford for 14 years and have always found PC Batacanin very helpful.

"We definitely need to have a village policeman. I really do think it's most important to have one that we can call on in an emergency."

She said that there had been several cases of car crime in the village within the last week and added that CCTV should be installed as soon as possible.

"We must get CCTV. We are also hoping to have a visit from a senior policeman to give residents a talk about policing in Bidford, because we need guidance and extra policing."

Chairman of Bidford Parish Council, William Moore said he hoped that the police would give enough resources to continue the initiatives the village has benefited from.

He added: "For many years we have been lucky enough to have Peter not only as our local beat officer, but also living in the village.

"His living in Bidford has added a certain extra to the service he provides and there is obviously concern about what will happen after Peter. Can Bidford's increasing size justify more beat officers to give us a presence afforded to larger villages and towns in our locality?

"Bidford is still a relatively safe place to live and we hope that police policy will enable that to continue."

Inspector Tim Bailey of Warwickshire Police, based at Alcester, said he did not know where PC Batacanin's replacement would live.

He said: "Peter has indicated his intention to retire from the force in the autumn. I do aim to make sure the beat is filled and that the policing levels currently experienced continue, and if or when Pete leaves us, we will take every effort to make sure that is the case."

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