POLICE have reassured residents following concerns beat bobbies could no longer be contacted by the public on mobile phones.
The way neighbourhood policing teams can be contacted changed this month in line with a major shake-up, which saw officer numbers increase from 22 to 69.
Officers no longer have personal mobile phone numbers available to the public and the emphasi
s has shifted to contacting the team, rather than an individual officer.
Boothtown resident Vicky Robertshaw, of the Boothtown Partnership, said having direct access to a policeman had been an big asset for residents. "Recently we were able to help PC Khan deal with a crime because we could talk to him directly while an incident was taking place. And many of my neighbours like being able to talk to an officer they know."
Megan Swift (Labour, Town) said she was concerned by the move. "We were surprised to find at a recent neighbourhood police meeting that our beat bobby PC Saif Khan no longer had his mobile phone.
"Many local people had his contact details. When police are trying to improve links with the community this is a real disappointment."
She said she would write to Chief Superintendent Ian Levitt to voice her concern.
Insp Derek Benn said: "The days of having one designated officer for each area have gone. Now there is a team responsible for each area. It would be impossible to give out mobile phone numbers for everyone."
Should the public be able to call local bobbies on their mobiles? Vote now in our poll on the right.Courier CommentThe full article contains 276 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
