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SAFER Community Teams in Northamptonshire have developed a magnetic approach to policing the county. It consists of a credit-card sized fridge magnet, which tells you who your SCT is and how to contact them. The magnet is designed to be an accessible item that is easily available if required. It is also practical and useful. The card has a picture of the SCT sergeant, so he becomes a familiar figure in the community. The idea is that he becomes recognisable, and as such a familiar face. The fridge magnets are being distributed throughout the county as a reminder to contact their SCT with issues that are worrying them in the community. The SCTs are proactively tackling any issues that are brought to their attention and any new issues will be considered and developed into the teams programme. This campaign marks the first anniversary of the introduction of the SCTS, who are making a marked difference to the communities they serve. Throughout the past year the teams have been working hard to be visible and available to people living in their areas as well as letting residents influence local police priorities. The fridge magnets have been a huge success, and many SCTs have exhausted their supply of them and have had to order more. This emphasizes their popularity and the public's response to them. In the region of 40,000 magnets have been distributed so far. The magnets are attached to an information leaflet that highlights the positive influences of SCTs. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Featherstone said: " I'm confident that neighbourhood policing through our SCTs will make a real difference to communities by reducing crime and the fear of crime, improving people's quality of life and ultimately increasing public confidence in policing in our county." News Source:
http://www.northants.police.uk |
