When many people think of what police do, they think first of neighbourhood policing. It is the neighbourhood police and Police Community Support Officers who do most of the communication and contact with the public.
As part of my determination to make our streets safe again and tackle anti-social behaviour [ASB], I have been providing the Chief Constable with the officers, PCSOs and equipment that is needed to provide an effective service to the public.
Over recent months I have:
- More Police. I have increased the number of officers deployed to neighbourhood policing;
- Opening Police Stations. I have begun a programme of making the police more accessible to the public with a new front desk in Oakham and in Coalville, plus interview facilities in Uppingham. More are to follow shortly;
- Visible Policing. I have made the police more visible to the public to deter criminals and give reassurance to the law abiding;
- Supporting businesses. I have supported the deployment of innovative schemes to catch and deter shoplifters and other criminals active in retail areas.
Photo shows myself and Cllr Lucy Stephenson at the opening of the new front desk open to the public in Oakham.