Concerns that the area loses its weekend cover to Leamington once every four weeks were raised at the meeting of Whitnash Town Council.

The town's police work a rota to include weekend cover targeting hotspots such as Acre Close playing fields to ensure crime and nuisance youths are kept under control.

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Whitnash councillor Tony Heath believes Leamington town centre takes priority over the weekends which leaves the town open to crime and is concerned that police are also moved from Whitnash at other times.

He said: "We were told we would get three out of four weekends cover but evidence proves otherwise. I tried to call police on Saturday and there didn't seem to be anyone on duty in Whitnash."

Coun Heath, who lives in Whitnash Road, fears that the lack of police presence could cause problems for the town.

He said: "I am concerned that if we are not going to get three weekends out of four cover that there could be serious consequences for Whitnash. It is unfair that Leamington takes priority at weekends.

"I work in Leamington town centre and run a taxi. I see the number of police on duty and up until 11.30pm and midnight there's not a lot for them to do.

"They could be on duty in Whitnash until 11.30pm and move to Leamington after midnight."

A police report read by Pc Jonny Calvert revealed a recent spate of criminal damage incidents in the town between May 2 until June 21. They include graffiti and a number of incidents of criminal damage to cars in areas such as Greenhill road and Landor Road. Hanging baskets were also stolen from a home in Coppice Road.

Coun Heath, 62, believes that leaving a community safety officer to patrol Whitnash, while the constable is on duty in Leamington could be a way of providing a police presence while meeting town centre needs.

Pc Calvert explained that officers start their weekend shifts at 4pm and usually patrol Whitnash until 11pm. When there is a quiet night in the town centre community patrol officers are able to return to their beat. He said at the meeting: "We have a lot of violent incidents in the town centre but we come back to Whitnash in the morning."
Police explained that community patrol officers throughout the district can be called away from their beat to attend incidents in the town centre and said the force had to prioritise policing to meet the needs of the town.