District Chief Inspector Jim Baker

I have been a police officer since 1991. I was a constable, sergeant and then inspector in Wyre Forest both uniform and detective roles before completing a period as Staff Officer to the Deputy Chief Constable at police headquarters, before returning to Wyre Forest as District Chief Inspector in 2006.

Our aim is to make Kidderminster and the Wyre Forest an even safer place to live and visit. Each ward has it's own dedicated Local Policing Team who through the PACT process (Partners And Communities Together), engage with our communities, identify local concerns and implement multi-agency actions as a response.

Historic Alter Cloth Restored To Former Glory

A 19th Century altar frontal used in St James’ Church, Hindlip for over 120 years has been restored to its former glory by West Mercia Constabulary.

The church relic, believed to date back to around 1880, has been painstakingly restored by a dedicated group of skilled embroiderers who have spent a total of over 60 hours working on the 89cm x 175cm frontal to repair its cloth over two months.

Now it has been carefully framed to protect it from future damage and will be hung in reception at force headquarters, Hindlip Hall near Worcester. The force is also keen to find out who made the work of art.

The frontal was assessed as being of artistic and historic significance by Althea Mackenzie, Curator of Wade Costume Collection at Hereford Museum. In a report for the Force, she described it as being ‘of exceptional quality and design’.

Her report went on to say: “The obvious Pre-Raphaelite influence and the exquisite workmanship suggest an artist and workshop of repute.”

Enquiries are still being made to trace the origins of the altar frontal but it is believed to have been commissioned after the 1860 restoration and refurbishment of St James’ Church, which is on the police HQ site.

After around 128 years use in the church, wear and tear and excessive handling had made the gold embroidered panel fragile.

A group of five volunteers, led by Kath Hollands from Malvern, undertook the restoration. Mrs Hollands, Carolyn Lewis-Barclay from Worcester and Joan Harris, Sally Ziesler and Phyllida Lewis-Bowen all from Malvern are all members of the National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies, NADFAS.

Mrs Hollands said: “It is wonderful that after this beautiful piece of work was discovered by church recorders it will now be seen by lots of people. It was really in very good condition for its age. It was a lovely piece of restoration to do.”

David Hawkins, Lay Chairman of the Diocese of Worcester, said: “We are grateful to the ladies who have restored this altar frontal and to West Mercia Constabulary for their commitment to completing this project.”

New Kidderminster CSO

Deb Potter is set to become a familiar face around the Oldington and Foley Park after becoming the ward's brand new community support officer.

Deb replaces CSO Steve Thomas, who is leaving to train as a police officer. Deb, aged 28, from Bewdley, was a police cadet from 1996 to 1998, and a Special Constable from 2005 to 2008. Before training as a CSO she was a sales assistant in the pet section at The Range store in Kidderminster. Deb said: "In some ways being a CSO is similar to being a Special Constable. It's great fun and is keeping me busy."

Kidderminster West Sergeant Nadine Pearse said: "Deb is a very welcome addition to the team, and her experience as a Special will be particularly useful. "Like her fellow Oldington and Foley Park CSO Lindon Lloyd, she will spend a great deal of her time at the police base next to Birchen Coppice School or out on patrol on the Birchen Coppice and Rifle Range estates, or surrounding area."

Appeal After Trees Destroyed By Arson


Police have appealed for witnesses after a row of conifers was set on fire at the back of a house in Kidderminster.
A 25ft row of Leyland Cypress trees was destroyed in the blaze at the back of a property in Morillon Court at about 5.45pm yesterday (Thursday, March 27). It was put out by the fire brigade.

The trees were screening off the property from open ground at the back and Pc Lee Wycherley said the blaze was being investigated as arson. He said: “Groups of youths have been known to hang about on the waste land there and many take their bikes there as there are ramps in the field. A lot of people from the Spennells Estate also take their dogs out walking on the field and I would appeal to anyone there who saw someone hanging around at the time and can give us a description to come forward and get in touch.”

Witnesses or anyone with information that could help the investigation should call Pc Wycherley on 08457 444 888 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously and free on 0800 555 111.

New Beat Managers

New beat managers have been appointed for two of Kidderminster’s Local Policing Teams.

Pc Philip Green has now taken over at Aggborough and Spennells while the former beat manager there, Pc Kevin Fincher, has become beat manager for Broadwaters.

Pc Green is moving over from the Kidderminster West Local Policing Team although he is familiar with Aggborough and Spennells , having spent a year working alongside a previous beat manager there, Pc Andy McGill. He has more than five years’ experience as an officer in Wyre Forest.

Pc Fincher had been beat manager at Aggborough and Spennells since last September and has more than 20 years’ service with the police, including four years as a response officer in Wyre Forest.