FOUR new police projects costing almost £70,000 are to be funded by the Redditch force after proposals were given the go ahead at a Police Authority meeting last week, writes Melina Cannon.

The force will provide a new £12,000 sector police station at Winyates and a high visibility operations van and number plate recognition equipment at a total of £32,500.

And a £25,000 scheme to re-organise open plan storage space at the town centre police base will also be activated after concerns were raised over fire risks. The area will be divided into three separate areas which will include a gym and lockers.

It is believed the £16,500 high visibility operations vehicle will provide a stronger police presence across the town and it is also proposed Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment costing £16,000 is installed in the van.

Chief Insp Paul Mason-Brown, of Redditch police said: "The division is committed to sector policing.

"Figures, statistics and feedback from the public has been nothing but positive and we hope to occupy the new sector police station by Easter."

Chief Insp Mason-Brown also said APNR equipment is used on a day-to-day basis throughout the force.

"The equipment recognises stolen or wanted vehicles or identifies a vehicle associated with wanted persons.

"The high visibility van is in the process of being funded and we are very keen to get it on the road, probably by summer.

"We will also be taking it out into the community where it will act as a mobile police station, getting more police cover out where it needs to be," he added.