MORE than 100 additional police officers are earmarked to join the West Mercia constabulary.

But it is not known if any of them will be based in Tenbury.

West Mercia Police has announced a consultation on plans to add an extra 115 front-line police after a £16 million budget increase. Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion is consulting on plans to add the extra officers on top of the 100 new recruits already pledged to the force in September.

The extra officers will come from an increase in the central Government grant as well as a proposed increase in council tax for local households, and the Police and Crime Commissioner has opened a consultation on the plans which closes on January 20.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, who represents Tenbury at Westminster, welcomed the news which will see more front-line police across the county, responding to her requests for more visible policing, especially in rural communities.

“I welcome the plans to consult on extra police recruitment which has been made possible largely thanks to a huge increase in funding from central Government,” said Mrs Baldwin.

“Nationally, funding is increasing by £813 million, with local police getting up to £16 million.