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Colchester: Stroll with a Patrol in your local area
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16:00 04/04/2022
Colchester’s Community Policing Team (CPT) are inviting local residents to join them on foot patrols this spring and summer.
Colcestrians will get the opportunity to Stroll with a Patrol in every ward in the district, with more than 40 events scheduled in 30 different areas from now until the end of August.
The one-hour walks will be a chance for members of the public to get to know their local officers, point out any places they feel unsafe or highlight issues they feel need brining to police attention.
The strolls are an addition to the successful Coffee with Cops and Cops outside Shops meetings.
Inspector Stuart Austin explained the thinking behind the events.
“I’m really keen for the CPT to be visible and for people to know the faces and names of their local officers and build those personal connections.
“We want people to take us to places they feel unsafe and tell us what concerns them.
“It’s about giving people a voice in their community and bringing communities together with their policing team to solve problems.
“The issues raised will be recorded and we’ll report back to the public to tell them what we’ve done to find a resolution.”
PC Dex Adams, PCSO Sarah Hardy and Insp Stuart Austin in Greenstead
There will be a PC and a Police Community Support Officer at every event and invitations have also been made to partners at parish councils, the anti-social behaviour officers from local housing associations, the NHS and neighbourhood wardens.
Even if the problems raised aren’t the direct responsibility of the police - such overgrown trees or lack of street lighting - Insp Austin said the CPT can help by using their links within the community safety partnership.
He is also hopeful that the strolls will encourage communities to come together to discuss issues.
“It’s an opportunity to talk to your community and neighbours about your issues and find out what the police can do to help.”
The events start on Tuesday 5 April in Greenstead. Meet at 6pm at the Hunwicke Shops for a patrol around Lower Greenstead to the university via Salary Brook.
PC Dex Adams and PSCO Sarah Hardy on patrol in Colchester town centre
If you’d like to Stroll with a Patrol, there is no need to book in advance just come along and say hello in one of the following locations:
Town centre
Monday 11 April, 5:30pm. Meet outside McDonald’s, High Street
Monday 9 May, 6pm. Meet outside Colchester Castle
Wednesday 27 July, 6pm. Meet outside Atik
Christ Church
Wednesday 11 May, 6pm. Meet at Ireton Road Church
Sunday 26 June, 3pm. Meet at the car park besides play area on Napier Road
New Town & Hythe
Monday 27 June, 11am. Meet outside the Co-Op, Wimpole Road
Thursday 14 July, 2.30pm. Meet outside the Co-Op, The Maltings
Old Heath
Thursday 7 July, 6pm. Meet at Old Heath Community Centre
Monkwick and Blackheath
Monday 25 April, 6pm. Meet at the Willows shops.
Wednesday 1 June, 6pm. Meet at the play park on Monkwick Avenue (School Road)
Rowhedge
Thursday 5 May, 6pm. Meet at Rowhedge Village Hall
Monday 18 July, 11am. Meet besides The Anchor public house
Mersea Island
Thursday 11 August, 6pm. Meet outside West Mersea Library
Wednesday 27 July, 11am. Meet at Cudmore Grove Car Park, East Mersea
Langenhoe and Abberton
Wednesday 29 June, 6pm. Meet outside Langenhoe Village Hall
Birch and Layer
Thursday 23 June, 11am. Meet outside the Hare and Hounds public house, Birch
Sunday 21 August, 4pm. Meet outside Layer de la Haye Primary School
Tiptree
Tuesday 30 August, 6pm. Meet at the Grove Road skate park
Lexden and Prettygate
Wednesday 6 July, 6pm. Meet outside Co-op at the Commons.
Tuesday 22 August, 6pm. Meet outside Kingsland Methodist Church next door to Aldi on London Road