EXTENDING the neighbourhood policing scheme is one of the force’s objectives for this year.

The intention is listed as part of the just-published Policing Plan 2010.

‘Neighbourhood policing is very important to us as it enables us to interact with people and be part of the community that we serve,’ said Chief Officer George Le Page (pictured).

He added that the annual plan was designed to further the force’s strategic vision and provide a route map.

‘The overarching pillar is maintaining the safety and wellbeing of the community,’ said Mr Le Page.

The aim now was to was to assign additional officers to carry out neighbourhood policing duties but Mr Le Page said it was too soon to say where they might be working.

The initiative was known as community policing when introduced by then chief of police Mike Le Moignan in 1987. The scheme folded in the late 1990s, primarily due to a lack of resources.

‘We were pleased as an organisation, following a re-examination of work practices and responsibilities, to be able to reintroduce it through pilot schemes,’ said Mr Le Page.

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