Neighbourhood Policing.
What does it mean?

Liberal Democrats believe that a new approach and a major culture change are necessary to provide the policing that people expect. There must be a real focus on delivering performance and local knowledge must be used to maximum advantage. If the police respond to people’s need, policing will be more effective.

Community police officers were a move in this direction but a new organisation is on the way. At present local policing is organised through a series of beats grouped into sections. The local sections are run by an Inspector and each has many elements. We are pleased to see that change is on the way.

In June this year there will be a new Neighbourhood Team structure. Four teams will cover large rural areas in Mid Suffolk with a further two in Stowmarket. A Sergeant will be responsible for each “Neighbourhood team”. The teams will include constables, community safety officers and special constables. Chief Inspector Paul Sharpe is the District Commander.

Teams will work closely with your Councillors, the Parish and District Councils and other organisations in the area. Each team will focus on keeping communities safe, solving problems which could range from crime and anti-social behaviour to noise and litter. Police should be much closer to and more visible in the communities they serve.

We don't yet know exactly how many officers will be in each team but we believe there will be a Sergeant with three Constables and two Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's).  60% of all uniformed officers, all police community support officers and all special constables will be team members. They will have backup from existing dog, traffic and the helicopter units.