OSWESTRY town councillors have agreed to create a new partnership with West Mercia Police.

Councillor Duncan Kerr, who has taken over the chairmanship of the Finance and General Purposes Committee following Chris Schofield's departure, made the on-the-spot motion at Monday's meeting after hearing from Oswestry Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) Inspector Claire Greenaway.

The Police Partnership Panel, as it was called, will work with the SNT on developing closer links to tackle anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse, among other issues, in Oswestry.

Cllr Kerr said: "We won’t build the better and greener town we all wish to see without working closely with the police.

"From litter, graffiti and dog fouling through to speeding cars, youth crime, drugs and domestic abuse there are a host of issues where we both need to work together to address both the symptoms, and the underlying causes, of anti-social behaviour.

"Our new Police Partnership Panel has been formed to do this and is another first for Oswestry.

"The two organisations will share data and then plan and resource effective programmes to combat the issues that cause the most harm to our communities.”

Cllr Kerr, who is a Green Party member, added: "Action to tackle these problems were a key part of the pledges made by the Green Party councillors in standing for election in May and I am pleased that we are starting to address them already."

Meanwhile at the meeting, Cllr Gemma Cassin spoke to Insp Greenaway concerning hate crime in the town.

Councillors backed a motion to write a letter of sympathy and support to two local families who have recently been the target of hate crime incidents.

Councillors also gave Insp Greenaway priorities for policing in Oswestry towards a new charter West Mercia Police is creating, with anti-social behaviour, youth provision, hate crimes and protecting plus sexual harassment of young people all included.