AN INNOVATIVE policing scheme is aiming to tackle crime in south Warwickshire.
The new Special Constabulary Priorities Team (SPT) is made up of 17 skilled Special Constables, who will take on priorities identified by local police teams across the south of the county.
They will address issues such as burglary, vehicle theft, and drug offences in the major towns of Alcester, Kenilworth, Leamington, Southam, Stratford, Warwick and other rural areas.
Officers will carry out operations, patrols and events as well as promoting crime prevention and awareness with the focus of the team’s activities being decided by police management and the SPT on a weekly basis.
Martin Jelley, Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, said: “Special Constables are an important part of our workforce and are members of the community who give up their own time in order to support policing.
“The SPT is an innovative initiative that will address priority concerns and actively engage with our communities and partners in to deliver solutions to local issues.
“The Special Constables who make up the team will be a visible and accessible presence, providing reassurance, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and the harm these cause to local people and businesses.
“The team will also deliver prevention and early intervention activities in partnership with stakeholders, schools and other community partners.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe was delighted by the introduction of the SPT.
He said: “The Special Constabulary plays an important role in assisting regular officers and PCSOs provide highly-visible policing in our communities.
“This new team will help to ensure the police can be even more effective at tackling the issues that matter – preventing crime and protecting the vulnerable.”
And acting Special Sergeant Sam Slemensek added: “This initiative gets to the heart of protecting our communities from harm by having a specific, proactive team with clear objectives and tasks to keep the public safe and prevent crime.
“The SPT’s dedicated and highly-skilled Special Constables will work with partners and agencies using a structured, sustainable approach that tackles and prevents issues affecting communities in south Warwickshire.”
Visit www.warwickshire.police.uk/specialconstables for further information.
