Bobbiesgo backon thebeat

Police officers will become familiar faces in the communities of Rutherglen and Cambuslang as each area gets its own dedicated police team.

Dubbed problem solving teams, the groups are being rolled out across all wards of the Lanarkshire force this month.

The change sees officers assigned to specific areas where they will return to traditional beat duties.

They will patrol communities on foot and bicycle, providing continuity and a familiar face that people can relate to in the mould of the traditional village bobby.

These officers will be responsible for meeting the needs of their communities by providing long-term solutions to local problems.

Chief Superintendent Roddy Irvine, local policing commander for Lanarkshire, said the new approach would allow the public to develop stronger relationships with local officers, who would still have access to the full assets of Police Scotland.

“Lanarkshire Division is committed to providing a police service that meets the needs of the local communities it serves,”he said.

“Dedicated officers within our local problem solving teams will play a vital part and undertake a role that will ensure that they are visible and accessible to our local communities.

“This will allow these officers to engage with the communities they serve to identify and tackle local problems that are a priority in the community.

“This, coupled with the national assets at the disposal of Police Scotland which these local officers will tap into, will enhance the service provided to communities in Lanarkshire.

“Importantly the changes we have implemented are based on feedback from our communities who told us they want an identifiable officer who can act as a single point of contact, who is visible, available and accessible in the community and who is capable of solving community problems.

“The priority for the officers will be to get to know their communities by going into schools, shops, licensed premises and community groups and introducing themselves and ensuring the public know how to get in touch with them should they require to.”

The local problem solving team officers’shift patterns will be aligned to the needs of their area, making them more accessible and available to deal with local concerns.

These new teams will be overseen by a community policing inspector and a dedicated sergeant who will support the officers to deal with persistent offenders, repeat victims and vulnerable locations.”