Very much a day of driving forward objectives on local policing: - this morning I had a meeting at our local police Headquarters in Sutton Coldfield with Chief Superintendent Richard North, who looks after local policing across Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.

We discussed a number of local issues noting that crime across the country has fallen sharply since 2010 and that challenges remain in terms of resource management and visibility. Residents want to see police officers around and about. This is one of my regular meetings on local policing supporting our local priorities.

I also had an excellent meeting with our new Chief Constable Craig Guildford whom I had the pleasure of welcoming to the Town this afternoon. 

It was an opportunity to introduce him to our interests and concerns on policing and related matters.

Simon Ward, the Leader of the Town Council also joined our meeting, and we were both greatly encouraged to hear of the reforms and changes he is making. I was particularly pleased to hear the importance our new Chief Constable attaches to Local Policing- something which I know will resonate with my constituents.