Ellesmere Town Council has published the outcomes from its meeting with important officials in local policing last week.

Representatives of Ellesmere Town Council met with West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion, who was joined by members of the Ellesmere Safer Neighbourhood Team on October 1 to discuss issues raised by council and local residents.

A number of items were discussed at the meeting, with a spokesman for the town council highlighting the ground that was covered.

They said: "There were a number of issues covered.

"On petty vandalism and police presence, they said the recruiting of 300 new officers will in time create greater visibility on the streets.

"Staff had checked the police system prior to the visit and talked through issues and the actions taken during investigations. If criminals can be identified by CCTV or stills taken from CCTV then the police will act to arrest.

"Regarding licensed premises, we asked the police for support in Ellesmere Town Council being consulted on new and changed alcohol licenses, and [they] advised they would support if we asked to be a valued partner during premises licence applications.

"On CCTV, the need for further cameras was identified and recognised, of which there is PCC funding available. It was also agreed that the police will provide better communication to the community when the town’s CCTV has aided an investigation."

The spokesman added that on county lines, police were able to confirm that there is no identifiable county line in this town, but were unable to discuss the drug-related activity within the town at this time.

They also added that West Mercia police agreed the 101 service levels are poor and the quickest way to report a non-emergency would be to use www.westmercia.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/

The police also highlighted channels to provide communication and downplayed the recent spate of 'dog-napping' in the area.

They added: "It was reported that there have only been three incidents of dog napping in the whole local West Mercia policing area."