Suffolk police announce move to improve community links

Suffolk Constabulary hopes the new model will forge closer links with the communities they serve

A chief constable has announced plans to build better community links after admitting her force had not always provided the "best of service".

Suffolk police has launched a new model to help change the way it works with local communities.

It will also make changes to the way it responds to emergencies and investigates crime.

Rachel Kearton said her officers would put community engagement "at the heart of what they do".

The new County Policing Command (CPC) model will see the creation of three teams focusing on community, response and crime prevention.

Community Policing Teams replace Safer Neighbourhood Teams and are made from 50 new Community Policing Areas across the county.

Police said smaller geographical areas would allow "increased focus" and ensure officers "better understand public concerns" in the area.

'Finite resources'

Response Investigation Teams, previously the Neighbourhood Response Teams, would provide initial response to emergency and non-emergency incidents, while a Community Partnership and Prevention Hub would focus on preventing crime and anti-social behaviour.

Ms Kearton said some people "have had good reason to say that they have not had the best of service in every case".

"This new operating model allows us to use our finite resources in the most effective way and will ensure that our officers are where people need them to be, when they are needed most," she said.

"Naturally, we will monitor and evaluate the new model on a regular basis over the next 12 months."

Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: "A theme repeated across the county is the need for better accessibility to the constabulary. This new model is designed to addresses this."