NEWSBEAT issued March 2007

FIND YOUR LOCAL OFFICERS AT THE CLICK OF A BUTTON

WEST MERCIA CONSTABULARY has been praised for it’s new look Local Policing Team section on the force’s website.

Kevin Boyce, West Area Field Officer for the Home Office’s Neighbourhood Policing Programme said:

"Part of my role involves regularly assessing the Local Policing Team information on police force websites. West Mercia Constabulary has dramatically improved their Local Policing Team information section. It has now one of the best sites in England and Wales, with all the information about Local Policing Teams clearly laid out and easy to navigate."

West Mercia Constabulary has 145 local policing areas the force area – with 20 in Herefordshire. Each area has a dedicated policing team consisting of at least one local police officer and a community support officer.

The Local Policing Team section on the force website was set up to help people find out more about policing in their community or local area. Each Local Policing Team has it’s own page, which features the names and photographs of the team members and how to contact them.

It also states the date and location of the next planned Community Forum – Partners And Communities Together event, such as a meeting or surgery and the details of the current agreed priorities for that local area. People can also let their Local Policing Team know about a particular concern by emailing them or – in certain trial areas of Herefordshire - submitting a postcard of feedback. More detailed feedback can be provided through a special form called an Environmental Visual Audit.

A MAJOR TRANSFORMATION to improve facilities for members of the public, police officers and staff at Hereford Police Station is starting in March.

Builders are moving in for the re-development work to create improved public access to the police station and state-of-the-art custody facilities for the county.

The redevelopment of Hereford Police Station will create a new public entrance, vehicle dock and 16 detainee cells to provide facilities needed for policing into the foreseeable future.

Parking at the station will also be affected while the redevelopment work is being carried out.

Andrew Nichols, Property Project Manager for the force, said:

"We are trying to keep disruption to a minimum while this work is taking place, however some disruption is inevitable.

"The walkway to the station’s front desk will move from DeLacy Street to Bath Street and notices will be posted around these areas to inform members of the public about the change of access. The out of hours’ telephone will also change location to the new entrance in Bath Street.

"Being accessible to the public is a top priority and there will be plenty of notices directing people to the new front desk entrance.

"The safe keeping of individuals in police cells is a serious responsibility and the facilities need to be both safe and secure. The existing custody facilities were developed in the 1970s when the station was first built.

"The new facilities will also include interview rooms, examination rooms, photographic and fingerprinting facilities and charge desks.

"The re-development of Hereford Police Station is part of a project to provide new and improved policing facilities in Leominster and Hereford, which will serve the policing needs across the whole of Herefordshire and south Shropshire."

3 incidents of criminal damage to a dwelling, 5 to property other than a dwelling and 10 to vehicles.

4 thefts from shop/store

2 burglary non-dwelling, 2 attempted burglary non-dwelling, and 1 burglary dwelling.

1 theft from vehicle and 1attempted theft of motor vehicle

4 assaults, including 2 where actual bodily harm was sustained.

3 incidents of theft of property.

3 theft of purse and/or contents

2 offences of possession of cannabis

Coddington: 1 burglary dwelling and one assault.

Colwall: 1 incident of criminal damage to property other than a dwelling and 2 of damage to vehicles.

Cradley: Theft of a battery & vehicle, attempted theft of a further vehicle & battery, and 1 theft from property.

Lower Eggleton: One incident of a motorist leaving without paying for fuel, one of vehicle damage and a caravan stolen.

Pixley: Theft of a caravan.

Prestons Cross: Theft of 6 wooden carvings

Rushall: Theft of a vehicle

Staplow: Criminal damage to property other than a dwelling.

The front counter at Ledbury Police Station operates surgery hours as follows: -

Monday to Sunday 9am to 1pm

Tuesday and Friday 4pm to 7pm

Monday, Wednesday &

Thursday 4pm to 8pm

BUT, the counter will remain open during the afternoons except during sickness or holiday periods.

The counter is closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. All other public Holidays the counter will open 9am to 1pm

Emergency only 999

West Mercia Police 08457 444888

Crimestoppers 0800 555111 Hereford Division Media 01432 347340

Mobile 07967 743147

Crime Prevention Manager - PC Charles Naylor

PC 3441 Deborah HUGGINS, Ledbury RURAL Beat Manager can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07814 554 498 or via email: deborah.huggins@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Community Support Officer Alison DORE can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07970 602 338 or via email: alison.dore@westmercia.pnn. police.uk

PC 3554 Pete ASKWITH, Ledbury TOWN Beat Manager can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07814 554 496 or via email: peter.askwith@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Community Support Officer Leatte CLARKE can be contacted on tel: 08457 444888 or via email: leatte.clarke@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

West Mercia Constabulary 08457 444888

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Victim Support 01432 347208

Childline 0800 1111

Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 7831359

National Drugs Helpline 0800 776 600

National Neighbourhood Watch

Association 02079 630160

Herefordshire Road Safety Hotline 01432 364582

As before, all incidents should be reported on 08457 444888 for an appropriate and timely resource to be allocated.