Bobbies on beat helping to cut crime on streets
IT IS a form of policing that many people thought had been consigned to the past, but high-visibility beat patrols designed to deter crime in hotspots across the city are working - according to police.
Known as Operation Goshawk, the increased foot patrols across parts of Leicester have been in force since the summer with officers deployed to notorious areas of the city.
Police now believe that months after its start, Goshawk is working in reducing streetbased violence.
“It’s early days but we are seeing some positive results and the feedback we’ve had from the community so far has been welcoming,” said Sergeant Mark Brennan, who has overseen the operation.
“This is about preventing crime by having a high visibility presence,” he added.
So far, 18 arrests have been made in connection with Operation Goshawk, with officers also seizing drugs and bladed weapons during the course of their duties.
The project, which was funded by the Home Office, was rolled out in Leicester following a trial by Essex Police. It has now been pushed out to other areas of the country, predominantly in city centres areas as a deterrent in short, sharp bursts.
For Leicester’s new enforcement, Sergeant Brennan has vowed that his officers will be thorough in their work across the city’s violent hotspots. “Officers are also taking a proactive approach in terms of stop and search where it is deemed proportionate and necessary and, of course, responding to any criminality they encounter,” he continued. “These are actions we carry out all the time, but in terms of hotspot policing, we’ve looked very closely where it is most needed and at what times we can be most effective.”
18 ARRESTS ARE MADE AS FOOT PATROLS HAVE BEEN INCREASED
We’ve looked very closely where it is most needed and at what times we can be most effective
Sgt Brennan