Changes to community policing in the village

The police were out in force at the Parish Council meeting held on Monday. Along with PC Ken Maple, two recent appointees were welcomed to the meeting. They were Inspector Bob Hassall (replacing Inspector Brierley) and Police Community Support Officer Nick Jarvis (replacing Sharon Jones).

Inspector Hassall outlined his views on policing in Audlem and explained why regular Community Action Meetings were no longer necessary or appropriate. To general agreement, he stated that these meetings had served their purpose in that the issues that concerned residents were being acted upon and Ken Maple and the PCSOs were now fully integrated into the community. It was agreed that in future single issue community meetings could still be held if they were felt to be absolutely necessary – but generally speaking Inspector Hassall would attend Parish Council meetings so that he would be fully aware of issues as they arose and could deal with them quickly. He also pointed out that "Impact Days" – which are a new initiative where police and PCSOs conduct extra high visibility patrols throughout the day and evening and offer crime prevention advice and literature – could be offered, by arrangement with the Parish Council.

Finally, Inspector Hassall's offer to speak at Audlem's next Annual Village Meeting, due in May 2008, was warmly accepted as was the offer from PCSO Nick Jarvis to attend meetings of the Youth Council which is currently being set up.

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