Praise for rural crime fight back

A fight back against unacceptable behaviour in rural areas has been praised by a Home Office minister.

Vernon Coaker met frontline officers from neighbourhood police teams in East Chesterton and Milton near Cambridge on Tuesday to hear about their work.

At East Chesterton crime was cut by improvements in communication between police and community using e-mail.

At Milton Country Park, the minister heard visitor complaints were cut after a crack down on anti-social behaviour.

Increased intelligence

Mr Coaker said: "I was particularly interested to hear how successful the e-cops initiative has been and how it has improved information exchange about crime and police initiatives.

"Neighbourhood policing is more than just placing police on the street.

"It is about giving local communities a dedicated team, who will get to know local people and give them confidence and reassurance.

"Police officers closer to the community will generate local information and increased intelligence to allow them to direct operations more effectively."