Police cabin installed at school

A portable cabin is being set up in the grounds of a Kent school to provide a base for neighbourhood policing.

Chief Constable Michael Fuller is to open the office at Newington Junior Foundation School, Ramsgate.

The idea is the brainchild of retired head teacher Alan Roochove. Police said it offered a strong link with the area and a "unique" community partnership.

Acting head teacher Penny Fuller said it was good for the children to have police officers nearby "to look up to".

"It's a great opportunity for people on the estate because we are so central and easy to find," she said.

This is a fantastic example of the community working side by side with the police Michael Fuller

"We are obviously concerned about crime and want to help make this area a better place for our students to grow up in."

Thanet police will use the cabin as a Newington base for two officers, Pcs Steve Moat and Chris Wiltshire, who will be at the opening ceremony on Tuesday.

It will also be used by representatives from the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, such as the Thanet District Council wardens.

The cabin was paid for by the police and the school.

"We, as the police, can't make the community a better place by ourselves," Kent's police chief Mr Fuller said.

"This is a fantastic example of the community working side by side with the police.

"This provides the beat officers a central base to work from and the community a convenient and relaxed place to speak with their beat officers."