THE introduction of new neighbourhood officers means more PCs on the streets, but the police also want to use the chance to reconnect with the public. SEAMUS MCDONNELL reports.

POLICE want to connect with the public and take people back to the days when everyone knew their local bobby.

A change in neighbourhood policing across Bolton means people will see more officers on the streets and residents are being encouraged to get in touch and discuss community issues.

Ten new officers are set to start work, joining neighbourhood teams across the borough.

Half of these will be new recruits and the other half will be brought in from other forces or different parts of Greater Manchester.

This will also see the re-introduction of dedicated neighbourhood inspectors who work as a consistent point of contact for people.

Bolton’s Chief Inspector Mike Russell said the new officers and a change in priorities will help the police focus on issues that matter to people.

He explained: “We are looking to improve neighbourhood policing and the addition of 10 new beat officers and three dedicated neighbourhood Inspectors means we will be able to work more closely with our communities.

“We have taken on board public feedback and for many residents it’s really important that they see police officers out on the street and having a local connection with officers.”

Of the 10 new officers set to start in Bolton, five have already begun their work and another five are set to join in April. This will not impact upon staffing in other Bolton police departments, said Chief Insp Russell.

Part of the change will see the police continue to push for more interaction with local agencies, such as Bolton Council.

To help with this, the police enforcement boundaries have been changed so that they will now line up with Bolton Council’s boundaries, with three distinct areas of Bolton highlighted in the north, south and west.

Bolton North includes Turton, Crompton & Halliwell, Breightmet and Little Lever and will be covered by Insp Nicola Williams with Sgt Dave Butcher and Sgt Stuart Williams.

The South area will take in Farnworth and Kearsley, Great Lever and Rumworth, with Insp Duncan Hayes, Sgt Alex Metcalfe, Sgt Peter Crowe and Sgt Andy Devonshire.

Finally, Bolton West will be covered by Insp Dave Johnston and Sgt Gary Howard and will include Westhoughton, Horwich, Lostock and Heaton.

Chief Insp Russell explained how the boundary change will help officers to work with other organisations to deal with issues and get closer to the public.

He said: “Moving forward our aim is to work with partner agencies to solve community issues, ensuring the public see a lot more of us and have the opportunity to engage and share problems that are a cause for concern.”

Another change that people can expect to see comes in the way officers regularly meet with residents.

At the moment the police have a series of drop-in surgeries during which people can come and speak about an issues. However, Chief Insp Russell said GMP are looking to change this.

He said: “The work we will be doing in the coming months will re-establish that connection with officers with extra resource deployed to the areas where it is most needed. In addition we are looking at moving away from the more traditional local drop-in surgeries and discussing how we make our communications more interactive so that we engage more people across Bolton.”