EMERGENCY response policing teams are once again based at Malvern's police station, after a policy implemented in 2013 was reversed.

From Monday this week, the police station in Victoria Road is once more the headquarters for 20 officers who for the best part of two years have been based at Ledbury, eight miles away.

The change was made to save money, but has now been reversed after police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore took another look at how officers were deployed in the area.

Mr Longmore said: “I wasn’t happy with the policing situation in Malvern. The town felt a bit isolated from Ledbury, and I was keen to make sure policing arrangements were reviewed. It didn’t seem to be working as well with the officers all based in Ledbury."

"I asked the chief constable to look at it again, and to his credit and that of the force, they’ve come up with a solution that will mean a better service for local residents and businesses.”

The news has been welcomed by mayor Julian Roskams, who said: "This is absolutely brilliant news. I think seeing police officers out and about gives people a lot of reassurance and makes them feel safer.

"Having a team based in Malvern that can react quickly is really excellent news. Police forces based within communities have got to be the best way."

Chris Marks of Great Malvern Association of Traders said: "This can only be a good thing. Even while they've been based in Ledbury, the police have always done a good job, but having them back in the town is a real reassurance."

Supt Sue Thomas of West Mercia Police said: "We tried a different way to patrol the South Herefordshire and Malvern areas by centralising the officers at Ledbury. However, through monitoring this situation over 12 months, it is clear that re-establishing patrol bases at Ross on Wye and Malvern is the most appropriate way forward."

Supt Kevin Purcell, policing commander for South Worcestershire, said: "I see this as offering the best opportunity of serving local people. It will ensure that I am best able to ensure proactive patrols are targeted on the Malvern Hills district."

Even while the response officer were based in Ledbury, the station has never been closed. It has continued to provide office space for the town's safer neighbourhood teams, including uniformed officers and community service officers, as well as the firearms licensing unit, wide loads team and administration functions.