29/07/10 - MP and Councillors Support New Local Police Exhibition

Abbey Meads councillors Vera Tomlinson and Peter Heaton-Jones and North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson have thrown their support behind a new local policing intitiative.

The North Swindon Neighbourhood Policing teams have been visiting communities in their new exhibition van.  Today the van was at the Orbital Retail Centre in Abbey Meads ward.

The idea is to make police officers more accessible so that people can talk to them about the issues that matter to them, and learn more about what is being done in their area.

Cllr Vera Tomlinson said, "Fortunately Abbey Meads is generally a relatively safe and secure community, but it's good to see the police coming out to meet the people.  Sometimes the police can feel a bit remote, but this sort of initiative really brings them closer to the community."

Cllr Peter Heaton-Jones said, "As councillors, we're quite used to dealing with the police, but for many people it can still be a bit daunting.  So I really welcome the fact that this exhibition van is being used by the police to reach out and meet residents in this way."

Justin Tomlinson MP said, "This inititiative fits in perfectly with the government's 'Big Society', where residents work together with organisations like the police to benefit the whole community.  I really welcome the fact that the police are going out and meeting local people and urge as many people as possible to get involved."