Police will be gearing up for the roll out of new community teams in areas of Norwich and south Norfolk with special get-to-know-you sessions this month.
Police will be gearing up for the roll out of new community teams in areas of Norwich and south Norfolk with special get-to-know-you sessions this month.
The new style of policing has been established in Yarmouth in a pilot running since June and has been hailed a success by locals.
The change of approach sees a return to community policing, with a dedicated team of officers, including a sergeant, constables and community support officers (PCSOs) alloted to small problem areas.
They provide a visible presence, gather intelligence about local criminals and run campaigns against vandalism, street crime, anti-social behaviour and vehicle theft.
Following a £2m grant from the government, the “safer neighbourhood” teams will be rolled out throughout the county between next April and May 2008.
The first five will start on April 1, with one team in Diss and four in Norwich - city centre; Mile Cross, Fiddlewood and Catton; north Earlham, Larkman and Marlpit; and Thorpe St Andrew.
Over the year that number will be brought up to 19 in the Norwich and south Norfolk area, along with a further 13 in west Norfolk and 19 in the north and east of the county.
Meetings will be held during October to give the public a better understanding of what their new team will do.
They take place at St Mark's church hall, Hall Road, Norwich on October 10; St Catherine's Church, Aylsham Road, Norwich on October 17; Wymondham High School, Folly Road, on October 26 and the Park Hotel, Denmark Hill, Diss, on November 1. Each session begins at 7.30pm.
Chief Insp Nick Davison said: “We will be building neighbourhoods which are not only safe but feel safe.
“We will be doing this by establishing dedicated police teams and working in close partnership with other local authorities.
“The new teams will mean a change in policing style and I would encourage members of the public to come along to these meetings and take the opportunity to ask questions about what this will mean for you.”
For more information email policeauthority@norfolk.pnn.police.uk or contact 01953 424455.
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