NEW "dedicated" police teams will be assigned to each area of Wirral depending on localised crime rates, Home Office minister Hazel Blears said last week.

The teams would be made up of full police officers and community support officers - the numbers dependent on whether the teams were in high or low-level crime areas.

Mrs Blears also revealed Government plans to introduce a new non-emergency national number - possibly 311 - which would deal with low priority crime, health and council issues.

She made the announcements during a meeting with the Prenton Residents' Association last Thursday, alongside Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford.

Mrs Blears said a further 20,000 community support officers would be introduced across the country by a Labour Government in response to the success the service had had so far.

"CSOs are highly visible and very much of the community," she said. "More importantly, because they don't have to frequently attend court like regular officers, it means they're always around when the public need them."

Mr Hesford told the Globe: "I am delighted to welcome Hazel Blears to Prenton in order for her to meet residents and listen to their concerns.

"The residents' association here has been in contact with me in the past about community safety.

"That is why I am proud that Prenton was one of first places in the UK to see Community Support Officers on the streets."