New policing teams launched in Rotherham

The borough is the last police area to be made subject to the new system, which aims to keep officers on their patch for longer, although it means a small cut in officer numbers.

The Doncaster and Barnsley Local Policing Teams “went live” in May and June respectively and Sheffield joined in last week.

And yesterday, Rotherham adopted the arrangement, which senior officers said had been designed to focus on neighbourhood policing.

The three Local Policing Teams (LPTs) based at Rawmarsh, Main Street and Maltby, are replacing separate Response and Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

Each team combines response police with safer neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs to give every officer a neighbourhood focus and all members are equipped with mobile technology aimed at “keeping them in your community for as long as possible”.

Chief Constable David Crompton said: “We understand that neighbourhood policing is highly valued by our local communities and this is why we have worked hard to retain visible, dedicated police teams in all areas of the county.

“The financial constraints placed on the force mean we have to work differently and the new teams aim to deliver vital neighbourhood services at less cost while protecting what is most valuable to the community.

“This is the biggest change to local policing in years and our reorganisation aims to provide a consistent structure and standard of service across the county, reducing duplication to work more effectively.”

The shake-up, which will save £8.1 million, will see officer numbers falling by three, 33 and 16 respectively in Rotherham, Sheffield and Barnsley but Mr Crompton said the introduction of a county-wide shift pattern and consistent flexible working arrangements would mean more were on duty in the evenings and at weekends.

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “These changes will bring a fresh way of working across South Yorkshire.

“They will combine more flexible teams, joint briefings and a greater ownership of crimes with improvements in mobile technology and will use resources more effectively and efficiently.

“Members of the public should see an increase in visibility of police officers and police community support officers in their local communities, providing greater access to advice, information and crime reporting.”

LPTs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and each will be assisted by a local support unit, which Mr Crompton said would focus on the proactive investigation of crime, antisocial behaviour problem solving, children and schools-related matters and offender management.

Each LPT has its own web page, Twitter and Facebook accounts, replacing the existing Safer Neighbourhood Team profiles from the dates above.

Launch events were held yesterday across the police districts and another takes place on Thursday at Rotherham Hospital from 10am to 2pm.

To find out which team covers your area, enter your postcode at http://www.southyorks.police.uk/.