Staffordshire’s new police chief has pledged to increase the number of beat bobbies on the streets of the county.

Mike Cunningham, the new Chief Constable of the force, says extra police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) will be drafted in to towns and villages across Staffordshire.

He made the pledge in his first week in the job which he took up after leaving his previous post as Deputy Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary.

He said: “High-visibility policing is very much on my agenda and I will be looking to increase the amount of beat bobbies and PCSOs. I realise that many people complain that there isn’t always a police presence on the streets and I want to change that.

“I want to improve neighbourhood policing. It is my first week and I am getting to grip with the task in hand.

“I can’t state how many extra officers I will be bringing in at this stage but it is very much a priority,” he said.

“I want a confident community in which people can feel safe and turn to police officers. I want to foster effective neighbourhood policing.

“It is the foundation on which our communities are built. If we are visible to them and provide answers to their questions and solutions to their problems then we build very strong relationships and trust.”

Mr Cunningham has also pledged to keep a police base in towns and villages working with partner agencies to deliver the service.

“That is another priority,” he said. “If we can’t man a police station then we will be working with partner agencies such as the council to have a base with them. It is essential that we have a police presence.”

He also said the police force would be working with shops that sell alcohol to cut down on binge drinking which in turns leads to anti-social behaviour.

He said: “Late-night binge drinking in towns is a major concern because it takes up a lot of police time. Anti-social behaviour caused by drink is something which has become more and more prevalent in recent times.

“This is another area we will be hitting hard. We will be working with pubs and shops which sell alcohol to see if we can try to combat the problem.”

Mr Cunningham said he was excited about the challenge and hoped he could continue the good work of the Staffordshire force.

He added: “It is an honour and a privilege to be Chief Constable of Staffordshire and I am very much looking forward to the task ahead.”