WEST Midlands Police’s new Chief Constable pounded the pavements of Sedgley as he held a meet-and-greet session with shoppers.

Chris Sims patrolled the town centre on Saturday with Pc Hardeep Johal and PCSO Luke Albutt from the Sedgley and Gornal neighbourhood policing team.

The Chief Constable spent a couple of hours chatting with shoppers and residents about issues in the area before paying a visit to a local event taking place in the memorial garden.

Mr Sims said he wanted the informal meet-and-greet sessions to become a regular fixture over the next few months, with the aim of finding out first-hand what local people think about the policing they receive – and how it could be improved.

It also gave him the chance to meet with his colleagues in the neighbourhood policing teams.

Since being appointed, one of Mr Sims’ first policies has been to go back on the beat to help shape the future of the force.

Over the coming months, he will be visiting shopping centres, high streets and venues in the heart of the region’s communities to hear residents’ views.

Dates and locations of his forthcoming visits will be posted at west-midlands.police.uk