DESPITE rising crime the number of police officers in Petersfield has been cut, the town has been told this week.
And combating the growing fear of crime is fast becoming a top priority.
But Superintendent Bob Rose, the man in charge of policing central Hampshire, tried to alleviate residentsÕ fears last Thursday at a public consultation on the crime issues facing the town. He told the meeting that Petersfield was still one of the safest places to live in the country.
Supt Rose added that combating the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour was a priority for police.
He said that although PetersfieldÕs crime rate was lower than other areas in Hampshire the rising trend had to be curbed now.
ÒThankfully I am not here talking about the number of murders we have, the number of rapes we have. We still have problems but it needs to be put into context,Ó he said.
ÒIf we do not deal with the problems we have here then next time I will be talking about rapes and murders,Ó he said.
Supt Rose said that crime, including violent crime and vandalism, was steadily rising in the town, but the fear of crime presented just as big a problem.
ÒIf people think they cannot go out then we have a problem,Ó he said.
And he assured residents that he would be accountable for the issues facing the town.
ÒMy priorities are local officers dealing with local people and local crime. I am a traditional officer.Ó
More than 100 residents attended the meeting, part of the Hampshire Police AuthorityÕs consultation process.
Supt Rose also revealed that police numbers had been cut in the central area of Hampshire.
ÒI have been asked to reduce my strength by 10 officers. That will impact on Petersfield. One officer from Petersfield has gone and not been replaced and there is a possibility another will go and not be replaced,Ó he said.
ÒIt is unwelcome to me and I am sure it is unwelcome to you.Ó
But Supt Rose said there were ways of combating the reduction in officers, including working with Neighbourhood Watch groups and the use of volunteer special constables and community wardens.
Speaking at the same meeting, Inspector Steve Sargent of Petersfield Police said that rising crime figures were a concern.
He said: ÒThe increase in crime here is a worry for Petersfield people because of the low level of crime we are used to.Ó
ÒWe have to remember we are well off, our function is to keep it that way.Ó
He said that officers were now taking extra action against vandalism in the town since record levels of damage were recorded in December 2002, including increased patrols at known ÔhotspotsÕ.
He added that the work officers were doing to combat violent crime was linked to the vandalism action.
ÒWe are carrying out extra patrols on Friday and Saturday nights. We regard the only way you pick up these offences is by being just around the corner and hearing the glass break,Ó he said.
He also told residents that a new mobile CCTV operation was set to be launched at the end of September by the Community Safety Partnership.
l The call for community wardens to help police the streets of Petersfield was strengthened when Supt Rose said the use of accredited wardens, similar to those employed by Portsmouth City Council, was one option that could help the town.
The use of community wardens was first raised at a meeting called by Petersfield bar owner Angie Ryan in May but was opposed by Insp Steve Sargent of Petersfield police.
Sup Int Rose said: ÒI think we should have accredited wardens. They have some powers and they can deal with anti-social behaviour. If they are patrolling in the day time I can re-distribute officers to Friday and Saturday night,Ó he said.
ÒIf we had them it would release resources to deal with other problems.Ó
But Insp Steve Sargent, the man in charge of Petersfield police, said he was still not convinced of the community warden option.
ÒWe thought they might become a target for drunks and we could spend time protecting wardens,Ó he said.
ÒWhat we do need are more special constables. They have the same powers as regular officers.Ó