NEWSBEAT issued November 2007

CROSSING THE BORDER – JOINT POLICING BRIDGES THE GAP

West Mercia Constabulary has joined forces with Dyfed-Powys Police to extend its unique cross-border partnership, aimed at improving policing to the rural communities along both sides of the England/Wales border.

The ‘Joint Working Protocol’ means that officers from either force are able to deal with incidents on both sides of the border, answering emergency calls as necessary, managing road traffic collision scenes, reporting crime and arresting offenders. Each force continues to deal with the investigation of all crime within its boundaries, however, and major incidents will still to be the responsibility of the force in which they have taken place.

Now a new agreement has been signed to extend the joint working further south to include the Hay-on-Wye and Golden Valley areas, meaning the whole border area between Herefordshire and Powys is now covered by the initiative.

Officers based at Peterchurch and Hay-on-Wye Police Stations will now be able to book onto each other’s control centres, as well as communicating directly with each other ‘on the ground’ via the Airwave police radios.

Superintendent Adam Thomas from Herefordshire Division commented: "The emphasis for this initiative is very much to deal with the day-to-day, lower level issues that are at the heart of response policing in the border areas. It means that we can provide an improved service to our local communities by ensuring that the nearest officers available to deal with an incident can be dispatched quickly and easily – whichever side of the border they happen to be on.

"By working together in partnership with our Dyfed-Powys colleagues we can provide a more effective and appropriate response to cross-border crime and at the same time increase our presence in the rural areas," added Superintendent Thomas.

11 reports of assault & 1 of harassment.

9 reports of theft from store & 1 of attempt theft.

2 report of theft from ATM.

2 report of burglary business premises & 1 attempt burglary. 1 report of burglary dwelling

2 report of theft of motor vehicle, 3 report of theft from vehicle & 4 reports of damage to a vehicle.

3 reports of possession of controlled drug 1 male arrested.

1 report of dangerous driving

10 reports of criminal damage.

1 report of theft

1 report of burglary.

2 reports of burglary

1 report of theft of vehicle

2 reports of criminal damage

1 report of assault

1 report of taking vehicle without permission.

1 report of criminal damage

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

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

Victim Support 01432 347208

Childline 0800 1111

Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 7831359

National Drugs Helpline 0800 776 600

Herefordshire Road Safety Hotline 01432 364582

Crime Prevention Manager - PC Charles Naylor

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

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

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