Beat a retreat? New police teams to hit the streets on Monday

Safer neighbourhood teams will be shrunk and community protection, response and patrolling and investigation work will be carried out by dedicated teams in the new model.

Warwickshire Police is reported to be selling its Leek Wootton headquarters for use as a retirement village, and in the latest announcement of station closures, Southam police will move its front desk to the town’s library on Tuesday.

The force has described the changes as “a new era” with more officers on duty at any time. Neighbourhood watch groups say they are not worried, but a Police Federation representative warned that while officers would make the system work, further cuts may lie ahead with morale already low.

• See this week’s Courier for the full story.