SHOPPERS in Birchwood can shop till they drop, then stop off and see a cop, thanks to a new community station which has opened its doors.

In the latest initiative by Risley police sector's Community Action Team, Birchwood Mall now has its own police office, nestling amidst the stores and cafes.

Once commonplace around Warrington, the idea of police houses gradually fell into disuse as the town expanded and the population grew.

But now it is seen as a central plank in the Cheshire force's attempts to provide a high visibility service, closer to the community.

Sgt Graeme Birmingham, of the Risley CAT, said: "It's started off slowly but we're getting more and more people popping in."

Located at the community station will be two police constables Jon Tetlow and Sue Bridges and community safety officers Barry Flynn and Stephen Dodd.

Sgt Birmingham is keen for them to complete their paperwork at the Birchwood office, so the new station is open as often as possible.

Regularly open on Wednesdays, from noon to 2pm, the office can be found beside the St Rocco's Hospice Shop, towards the rear of the centre.

It was donated to the police free of charge by centre management.

The launch follows on from other successful trials in the Risley police area, including the first 'police station' based within a school, which is currently running successfully at purpose-designed premises at Culcheth High.

While Birchwood's new police office is relatively close to the main station in Delenty Drive, people living in outlying areas, such as Culcheth and Glazebury, have often felt in the past that a police presence was too far removed from them.