stefan Morkis lead reporter

Ask people what they want from thier police service and the answer will usually be “more bobbies on the beat”.

The idea of the local community policeman had disappeared even before Scotland’s eight forces merged into one in 2013.

But there is a real determination to restore community ties across Tayside.

When Chief Superintendent Paul Anderson was appointed just over eight months ago, he described it as one of his main priorities.

True to his word, that reorganisation has now taken place.

Whether people will notice more bobbies on the beat remains to be seen but there is now a named point-of-contact for people with concerns about local issues.

It’s a small step but an important one.

It means people know there is someone to listen to their complaints and, crucially, there will be dedicated officers with a knowledge of the issues affecting their areas.

More impressively, the inspectors all applied for their positions, which demonstrates a genuine commitment to local policing in Tayside Division from those charged with reforging community ties.