THE IMPACT a new crime-cutting scheme is having in the city has been praised by the shadow minister for policing.
Jack Dromey MP visited The Hive last Thursday (January 23) where he discussed the success of the University of Worcester paying for a pair of Police Community Support Officers to work at the St John’s campus and the community hub.
PCSOs Alun Jones and Natasha Harris deal with concerns about noise and behaviour and parking issues and advise students on personal safety and keeping property safe.
They have also developed a ‘good neighbour’ charter which one lettings agency in the city will include when they let properties to students.
Mr Dromey said it was a great example of how the university was taking its responsibilities towards the community seriously.
“We know that neighbourhood policing, rooted in local communities and with local people having their say, is the most effective policing you can get,” he added.
“With 20 per cent cuts to police budgets, front line neighbourhood policing is under threat in many places.
“This project is a good example of working in partnership to be able to tackle the issues that concern communities most.”
As part of his visit to The Hive, which was organised by Joy Squires, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Worcester, Mr Dromey spoke to Professor David Green, the university’s vice chancellor and Inspector Jane Francis, head of local policing in Worcester.
Mrs Squires said she was pleased the community scheme had been a success so far.
“I know from talking to students, local residents and PCSOs Alun Jones and Natasha Harris that this project is having a positive impact in the city,” she said.
“I was very pleased to be able to show that Worcester is leading the way with this innovative approach to community policing.”
Picture: PCSO Alun Jones, Jack Dromey MP, Joy Squires, Worcester’s Labour parliamentary candidate, and Inspector Jane Francis met at The Hive. (s)
