Nottinghamshire Police highlight role of neighbourhood policing as national Week of Action launched

A week of action has been launched to showcase the work of neighbourhood policing teams.

The national Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action aims to highlight the work that neighbourhood officers, police community support officers and volunteers do in protecting the public and keep communities safe.

Officers have come up with initiatives which target problems which matter tot the community such as reducing anti-social behaviour and putting drug dealers behind bars across the county.

The week of action will focus on four key themes; early intervention, problem solving, improving trust and confidence and well-being.

A number of events will take place throughout the week, including high-visibility patrols at anti-social behaviour hotspots and targeting speeding motorists.

There will also be operations to target drug dealers, shoplifters and criminals targetting rural communities.

Prevention events will also be held, such as bike marking to keep thieves at bay and visiting local schools to talk about the work they do.

Superintendent Claire Rukas, county area commander, said: “This is a great chance for us to shine a light on all the great work that happens across our neighbourhood teams.

"Our neighbourhood teams are out amongst our communities every single day solving the issues and problems that are affecting our residents.

“Each neighbourhood inspector sets a list of priorities based on the concerns highlighted by our communities and comes up with initiatives, operations and events aimed at addressing these problems. They are the backbone of policing.

“This week of action is business as usual for us, but we want to provide the public with a first-hand look at the work that goes on to keep your community safe.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry welcomed the week of action, saying: “Neighbourhood Policing Teams are a valuable part of a whole spectrum of policing services provided by Nottinghamshire Police.

“They are the officers working in the heart of your community, who have the best local knowledge of the people, locations and issues that are individual to that neighbourhood.

"Their key skills include teamwork and collaboration with local partners and community members to solve problems and build good relations.

“Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action is a good chance to recognise the important work they do, but also to recognise that they are one piece of a much wider support team at Nottinghamshire Police that works hard every hour of every day to keep the people of Nottinghamshire safe.”