CHIEF Constable Peter Hampson has confirmed his faith in the new policing arrangements for Upton.

A letter from former district councillor Betty Williams prompted Mr Hampson to express his support for the system of beat management and road policing now operating in the town.

"I can only re-emphasise that Upton enjoys a level of policing support consistent with other towns in the Constabulary," said Mr Hampson, in a reply passed to Coun Williams by Bill Hartnett, vice-chairman of West Mercia Police Authority.

Coun Williams, in common with others who attended a public meeting in June, is concerned that Upton no longer has a police officer on the beat.

She took up her pen out of "sheer anger and frustration" after the meeting and has now received replies from the Home Office, Chief Constable and West Mercia Police Authority.

Mr Hampson said changes had been made throughout West Mercia to make the best use of limited resources and provide a high quality rural policing service.

He said Upton was a low crime area and the Malvern Hills district one of the very lowest crime areas in the country, with an average of 16 crimes and 13 emergency calls each month.

An additional £1.1 million recently allocated to the Constabulary to help police rural areas will be used to resource the structure of beat managers, core activities and intelligence-led policing.

"Our police authority has tasked me to increase visible policing to help address the fear of crime. I take this responsibility extremely seriously," said Mr Hampson.

"Data indicates that our performance in Upton continues to improve and our commitment to the town remains as strong as ever."

Coun Hartnett thanked Coun Williams for her concern over policing levels, saying the police authority had fought to gain further resources for rural policing.

"You will recall we levied a high council tax this year to ensure no reduction in staff, both uniformed and civilian," he said.

Coun Williams has forwarded copies of the correspondence to Upton Town Council, whose members shares local concerns over policing.