Croydon police have announced how it is to deal with the reduction of six safer neighbourhood team sergeants.

Five wards will now share a sergeant as the total number is reduced to 25 for Croydon.

Addiscombe and Woodside, Ashburton and Shirley, Fairefield and the town centre, Fieldway and Heathfield, and Sanderstead and Selsdon will all share a sergeant.

The other teams in Croydon will be unchanged.

Chief Inspect Caroline Trevithick, who is responsible for safer neighbourhood teams in Croydon, said: "The changes we’ve made will not alter the fact that every ward in Croydon will still have its own dedicated team, who will continue to work with the local community and set locally agreed priorities with the ward panel.

"In the current economic climate, we have to deliver best value, whilst continuing to deliver the level of service that local residents demand."