PM promises 'new style of policing'

Monday, 25 February 2008 12:00 AM

The prime minister today said everyone should be able to contact a local police officer via email or mobile phone.

Alongside the home secretary, Gordon Brown set out plans for every council ward in England and Wales to have a designated neighbourhood policing team.

Comprised of full-time police officers and police community support officers, the teams will encourage communication between local people and the police, with a national website publishing contact details for every team.

The police are set to run a Name in Every Neighbourhood campaign over the coming weeks to tell people how to contact them and it is intended every local area will have a team in place by April.

On a visit to south London today, Mr Brown said: "We know people want more say about their community and a visible and accessible police service that deals with local problems and anti-social behaviour."

He continued: "Whilst crime is falling, too many people have a real fear about their communities and feel detached from their police service.

"That is why we have been working with the police on a new style of policing to address local priorities, improve public confidence and make neighbourhoods safer.

"Neighbourhood policing is about giving local people power over how their streets are policed. It is a major step towards a new kind of policing - one in which in the citizen has real influence."

Jacqui Smith said the April deadline will mark the start of a "new kind of relationship" between the police and public.

She explained: "Every household will hear from, be able to contact and be able to influence their local team. We want everyone to have the opportunity to shape their team's priorities. I congratulate the police for their progress."

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• police
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• policing and crime
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• public services