Nothing beats a Bobby on the beat (From Cotswold Journal)

Nothing beats a Bobby on the beat

PEOPLE are always demanding more Bobbies on the beat.

The phrase has become a mantra for those concerned about rising crime figures, from opposition MPs to campaign groups.

And it is certainly true that many people in the north Cotswolds often express concern about the lack of a police presence on the streets of local towns and villages.

Since last September, Gloucestershire Constabulary has been seeking to address the problem with the introduction of a Safer Communities Team in every Inspector Neighbourhood Area.

The North Cotswold area's team is led by Sergeant Martin Jones, who is confident that the initiative can make a big difference to policing in the area.

"It's a national initiative by the Home Office and the original concept comes from an inner city area of London.

"Our key priorities are to improve community engagement, crime reduction, tackle anti-social behaviour and low-level crime, reduce the fear of crime and, therefore, increase public confidence," said Martin, whose is based at Stow police station.

Apart from himself, Martin's crime-busting team consists of PC Gary Brewer, rural beat officer PC Chris Skinner and three Police and Community Support Officers - Adrian Palmer, Mel Cheesbrough and Gemma Finch.

"The general idea is that we target areas of disorder or crime within the north Cotswolds. Our aim is to tackle these things for the long-term. We will do regular patrols of areas we have identified as having problems, improving visibility in those areas and engage the community as to who is committing offences."

An example of a recent crime crackdown by the team include recent incidents of criminal damage to cars and windows in Chipping Campden in the evenings.

Martin and his team carried out extra patrols in the town, visited local pubs and schools and, as a result, were able to obtain information that led to three local youths signing up to Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, by which they agree with the police and their parents to comply to certain levels of behaviour in future.

Another weapon in the team's armoury is the fixed penalty ticket, one of which was given to a Blockley man who had caused damage at a Campden pub.

More recently, an on-the-spot fine of £80 was handed to a Great Wolford man who broke a window at a house in East Street, Moreton.

Other sanctions include Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and powers to deal with nuisance neighbours, both of which are part of the government's "respect" agenda, outlined by Tony Blair earlier this month.

Apart from directly fighting crime, the Safer Communities Team members are also visiting local youth clubs, schools, parish and town councils and sheltered housing schemes to discuss issues relating to crime, make them aware of the team's presence and to raise awareness of things such as distraction burglaries.

The team also works closely with the Neighbourhood Watch Officer for the north Cotswolds, Andy Fogden, the anti-social behaviour officer at Cotswold District Council, Nicki Copeland, and the Crime and Disorder Partnership.

Community support officers are also holding regular "surgeries" at Bourton and Moreton police stations every two to three weeks so that people with particular concerns about crime can go in and discuss them.

"It's having an impact," said Martin.

"Over the past few years the police have lost some of the local contacts they used to rely upon for information about what was happening in the towns and villages. The idea of the team is to try to redress this.

"By having a presence people are more likely to talk to the officers on patrol and give them information about what is happening locally.

"It sounds like we are re-inventing the wheel. We make no excuses - that is what we are trying to do. We are trying to get back out there.

"It's very early days but if things progress along these lines we hope to regain the ground we've lost over the years in terms of community contact."

The Safer Communities Team for the north Cotswolds can be contacted at Stow police station on 01242 276610.

For more urgent inquiries call 0845 090 1234.