Rural Policing
Best Practice in Rural Policing
The police service is already doing a great deal to provide visible and effective policing in rural areas. At the ACPO Rural Policing Conference 2000 in Lincoln the then Home Office Minister Charles Clarke hailed the development of several initiatives as rural policing best practice, including dedicated parish special constables, mobile police stations and targeted rural patrols. The following were cited by the Home Office as examples of best practice in these areas.
Mobile Police Stations
Mobile police stations that have a designated patrol area, focusing upon particular communities seeking an increased police presence, for example particular housing estates, villages or shopping centres.
North Wales Police have a mobile police station for the patrol of Anglesey, containing a small office and a 'cage' for the detention of prisoners. It is staffed by an officer who has a laptop computer for crime recording. Lincolnshire Police also use mobile stations.
Further Information:
North Wales Police press office 01492 511158
Lincolnshire Police press office 01522 532222
Establishing a Local Permanent Police Presence
Establishing the permanent presence of a local 'blue light' - perhaps through re-opening small police stations on a part-time basis, or by sharing accommodation with other emergency services, or community centres, libraries, village halls or schools - can provide drop-in services and information. These can be staffed by a combination of regular officers, specials and volunteers.
North Wales Police are progressing the concept of shared facilities and have a facility in a local library at Aberdovey.
Further Information:
North Wales Police press office 01492 517171
Rural Community Beat Officers
Officers -singly or in teams - patrolling clusters of villages or neighbourhoods, based upon developing strong and enduring local relationships with community leaders. Lincolnshire Police have a Rural Task Team of rural community beat officers, and Thames Valley Police have a Community Policing Team approach in West Berkshire
Further Information:
Lincolnshire Police press office 01522 532222
Thames Valley Police press office 01865 846699
Parish or Neighbourhood Special Constables
Development of the existing special constable structure to offer parishes and neighbourhoods a dedicated special constable who could be resident in the local areas. Parish Specials are currently deployed by Norfolk Constabulary.
Further Information:
Norfolk Constabulary press office 01603 276111
Intelligence-led Targeting of Patrols
Development of patrol systems, targeted on particular local crime 'hot-spots' in accordance with received intelligence. Patrolling can be singly or in pairs, depending upon local safety assessments, to raise a visible presence both to deter criminals and troublemakers and to improve community intelligence relationships. The greater use of police uniforms can also be a very positive option.
Click here to view this initiative from the 'Ideas Exchange'.
Last update: 09/09/03