Sussex Police joins 'forces' with On My Doorstep to promote its Community Contact Schemee
The Community Contact Scheme consists of regular news bulletins in the form af an e-mail from Sussex Police on crime, crime prevention, “good news” in the fight against local crime, traffic accident appeals, etc. The Sussex Police Authority with news, meetings and surveys. East Sussex Trading Standards regarding scams, rogue traders, etc. Community Safety Messages from The Safer Communities Partnership, District Councils, East Sussex County Council and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. It is seen as an essential form of communication between the authorities and the community. As it is two-way, it allows recipients to respond quickly with information that could assist Sussex Police. Anyone can join for free, the scheme currently covers the Hastings, Rother, Bexhill and Wealden areas.
Superintendent Grenville Wilson, the officer with overall responsibility for delivering neighbourhood Policing across East Sussex said, “Policing cannot be effective if it is operated in isolation from our communities. We have substantial numbers of our staff operating in every community and neighbourhood across the county providing locally tailored policing, but we need the engagement with communities in order to ensure that we remain focused on the right issues and problems. Community Contact is an excellent scheme through which members of the public can become or remain engaged with policing in their localities.”
PCSO Lucy Paffet, who is the Community Contact Scheme Coordinator added, "The effectivenss of the scheme is dependant on being able to get the message out to as many members of the community as possible. Working in conjunction with On My Doorstep, with their network of community based websites throughout the county, provides Sussex Police with the ideal platform to promote the scheme to a far wider audience."
Spokesperson for On My Doorstep, Jeremy Woolger said, "Bringing agencies like the Police closer to the public is an important aspect of the philosophy behind On My Doorstep in helping to restore a community spirit all too often missing in todays society. We want to help people get the most out of living in their area and create a safer community to live in. As part of our working with Sussex Police visitors to our websites can also find out who their local policing team is and get valuable advice on crime prevention."
On My Doorstep is developing a network of community based websites throughout the UK with the intention of creating one for every town in the country. Here you can find out about local businesses, local services, local jobs, local weather and local events. Regional news is provided by the BBC; there are even games and brainteasers to keep you entertained! On My Doorstep websites for towns in East & West Sussex are now operational, discover the website for yours at www.onmydoorstep.co.uk.
