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| TIME FOR A CHANGE: Residents hope a reorganisation of local policing teams will benefit Marston Green. |
Residents have previously questioned why the the officers who cover the village are based in Balsall Common - around eight miles away.
The situation is made worse by the fact that the Bickenhill and Meriden neighbourhood team is responsible for policing events at the NEC and airport and covers such a wide area - around a third of the borough of Solihull.
This has led to criticism from some residents, who fear that local issues aren't given due attention.
But PC Dave Jephcott (pictured, right) recently confirmed that he and a community support officer would be given special responsibility for the Marston Green area, and would be operating out of Chelmsley Wood Police Station from this month.
In a message to the village Facebook page, he said: "As well as providing us with a better base to work out of, [the move] will also align us with the Chelmsley Wood neighbourhood team...meaning that any support that we may need from extra officers to support operations in the area will be easier to obtain."
Further details about the new arrangements were discussed with residents at last week's meeting of Bickenhill and Marston Green Parish Council.
Insp Allan Green, who made the case for the changes to superior officers, said he was confident that the new system would be an improvement.
He also addressed concerns about rising crime in the village, which have been fuelled by a recent spate of shed thefts and the ongoing problem with off-road bikes.
He conceded that the number of offences reported had risen compared to last year, but was still far below neighbouring areas in North Solihull.
Current priorities for officers include tackling anti social behaviour, and alleged drug dealing, outside the chip shop in Greenlands Road.
Police have urged people to report crimes on 101.
The situation is made worse by the fact that the Bickenhill and Meriden neighbourhood team is responsible for policing events at the NEC and airport and covers such a wide area - around a third of the borough of Solihull.
This has led to criticism from some residents, who fear that local issues aren't given due attention.
But PC Dave Jephcott (pictured, right) recently confirmed that he and a community support officer would be given special responsibility for the Marston Green area, and would be operating out of Chelmsley Wood Police Station from this month.
Further details about the new arrangements were discussed with residents at last week's meeting of Bickenhill and Marston Green Parish Council.
Insp Allan Green, who made the case for the changes to superior officers, said he was confident that the new system would be an improvement.
He also addressed concerns about rising crime in the village, which have been fuelled by a recent spate of shed thefts and the ongoing problem with off-road bikes.
He conceded that the number of offences reported had risen compared to last year, but was still far below neighbouring areas in North Solihull.
Current priorities for officers include tackling anti social behaviour, and alleged drug dealing, outside the chip shop in Greenlands Road.
Police have urged people to report crimes on 101.
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