New £50k 4x4s to tackle rural crime, police say

Two new police 4x4 vehicles costing £50,000 will help officers get to hard to reach places in rural parts of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, the force's police and crime commissioner (PCC) says.

In the area covered by West Mercia Police, the force said a third of the population lives rurally and there are more than 8,400 farms.

The new 4x4s can get to areas that standard police cars struggle with, such as bridleways and farm tracks, PCC John Campion said.

"I have seen first hand the work of officers in our rural communities and the difficulties they face when trying to access isolated areas, which can be uniquely affected by some types of crime," he added.

"I am pleased to provide these two vehicles that will make a meaningful difference to the service local communities receive, and how officers go about delivering that."

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