The neighbourhood policing team for the Terrington area has welcomed a new dedicated sergeant as more officers are put on the beat in King s Lynn and West Norfolk. Changes introduced by the Constabulary at the start of the month to improve local services

The neighbourhood policing team for the Terrington area has welcomed a new dedicated sergeant as more officers are put on the beat in King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Changes introduced by the Constabulary at the start of the month to improve local services and increase officer numbers by 100 across the county, sees Sgt Mark Cant lead the South and West Lynn Safer Neighbourhood team, making way for Sgt Sam Pontin to lead neighbourhood officers in Terrington.

The two teams continue to be led by Insp Paul Durham, based at Terrington St John beat base.

"In the past 12 months, across the Terrington and South and West Lynn neighbourhoods, we have seen crime reduced by seven per cent and achieved an unprecedented level of detections," said Insp Durham.

"More importantly, we've engaged with our communities and are working ever more closely together to solve community problems at an early stage.

"With the addition of a dedicated sergeant solely for the Terrington team, it can only enhance the quality of service we offer the community and build upon the excellent work that has already been carried out."

Members of the Terrington Safer Neighbourhood Team met with local residents at the latest priority-setting meeting on April 8 to determine which neighbourhood problems the team would focus on over the next eight weeks.

It was agreed the team would work to solve the following issues:

Terrington St Clement - Reduce anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in village hot spots.

Chapnall Close, Walsoken - reduce anti-social behaviour and underage drinking.

PCSO Chris Lorraine gave an update of the work that had been carried out by the team in partnership with other agencies and the local community to solve previous priorities.

To provide increased reassurance following burglaries in Walton Highway: the team increased both mobile and foot patrols. During the patrols, various vehicles were stop checked by police officers to check the documentation of the driver and the vehicle. The SNT engaged with the local Home Watch scheme to offer advice and assistance and gained valuable information from members about local issues. Intelligence was received from the public which led to a search warrant being carried out at a local address to recover stolen property.

To help reduce anti-social behaviour in Walpole St Andrew: the team increased mobile and foot patrols with the main focus being the playing fields close to the village hall. One section 59 warning was issued to a motorist who drove on the playing field itself. The offender also agreed to attend a Restorative Justice conference with the parish council and football club to make amends. The SNT has worked with the parish council to reduce signal crime in the area and this has seen the removal of graffiti from the bus shelter.

All local residents are invited to the next Community Action Group meeting to set local policing priorities, to be held at Clenchwarton village hall at 7.30pm on Monday June 1.

To contact the team call 0845 456 4567 or e-mail sntterrington@norfolk.pnn.police.uk