Post offices take on police role
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/3691624.stm
People will able to report crimes to the police at their local post office in a pilot scheme which starts in Norfolk on Monday.
Eight post offices will help improve public access to the police through a 24-hour phone link.
In addition, post office staff will be able to check driving documents, handle lost property and give out leaflets.
The scheme, which will run for six months, will also allow people to visit police officers at the post office.
'Brilliant' scheme
Jacky Welsh, sub postmistress of Watton Post Office, near Thetford, said: "I think the scheme is absolutely brilliant.
"We have a part-manned police station in the village, whereas the post office is open Saturday mornings and nine hours a day on weekdays."
Marilyn Stoddart, assistant general secretary of the National Federation of Sub Postmasters, said: "Members of the public trust their village post office.
"Sub postmasters are well used to dealing with transactions in confidence." We don't want any budding Inspector Morses in the post offices around Britain
Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation
Norfolk Police believe the scheme will greatly increase accessibility and increase the confidence of the public in police officers.
Insp Paul Wade said: "We're trying to have face-to-face contact in partnership with the post office in order to give the community a comfortable feel and to reduce the fear of crime."
However, chairman of the Police Federation Jan Berry said sub postmasters had to be clear about their role in the scheme.
"We don't want any budding Inspector Morses in the post offices around Britain," she told BBC Radio 4.
The scheme will be launched at Watton Post Office at 1000 BST.
The other post offices involved are: Upwell, Swaffham, Downham Market, Holt, Wells next the Sea, and Stalham and Acle near Norwich.
People will able to report crimes to the police at their local post office in a pilot scheme which starts in Norfolk on Monday.
Eight post offices will help improve public access to the police through a 24-hour phone link.
In addition, post office staff will be able to check driving documents, handle lost property and give out leaflets.
The scheme, which will run for six months, will also allow people to visit police officers at the post office.
'Brilliant' scheme
Jacky Welsh, sub postmistress of Watton Post Office, near Thetford, said: "I think the scheme is absolutely brilliant.
"We have a part-manned police station in the village, whereas the post office is open Saturday mornings and nine hours a day on weekdays."
Marilyn Stoddart, assistant general secretary of the National Federation of Sub Postmasters, said: "Members of the public trust their village post office.
"Sub postmasters are well used to dealing with transactions in confidence." We don't want any budding Inspector Morses in the post offices around Britain
Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation
Norfolk Police believe the scheme will greatly increase accessibility and increase the confidence of the public in police officers.
Insp Paul Wade said: "We're trying to have face-to-face contact in partnership with the post office in order to give the community a comfortable feel and to reduce the fear of crime."
However, chairman of the Police Federation Jan Berry said sub postmasters had to be clear about their role in the scheme.
"We don't want any budding Inspector Morses in the post offices around Britain," she told BBC Radio 4.
The scheme will be launched at Watton Post Office at 1000 BST.
The other post offices involved are: Upwell, Swaffham, Downham Market, Holt, Wells next the Sea, and Stalham and Acle near Norwich.
Whatever next? skittle said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/3691624.stm
People will able to report crimes to the police at their local post office in a pilot scheme which starts in Norfolk on Monday.
Eight post offices will help improve public access to the police through a 24-hour phone link.
In addition, post office staff will be able to check driving documents, handle lost property and give out leaflets.
The scheme, which will run for six months, will also allow people to visit police officers at the post office.
'Brilliant' scheme
Jacky Welsh, sub postmistress of Watton Post Office, near Thetford, said: "I think the scheme is absolutely brilliant.
"We have a part-manned police station in the village, whereas the post office is open Saturday mornings and nine hours a day on weekdays."
Marilyn Stoddart, assistant general secretary of the National Federation of Sub Postmasters, said: "Members of the public trust their village post office.
"Sub postmasters are well used to dealing with transactions in confidence." We don't want any budding Inspector Morses in the post offices around Britain
Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation
Norfolk Police believe the scheme will greatly increase accessibility and increase the confidence of the public in police officers.
Insp Paul Wade said: "We're trying to have face-to-face contact in partnership with the post office in order to give the community a comfortable feel and to reduce the fear of crime."
However, chairman of the Police Federation Jan Berry said sub postmasters had to be clear about their role in the scheme.
"We don't want any budding Inspector Morses in the post offices around Britain," she told BBC Radio 4.
The scheme will be launched at Watton Post Office at 1000 BST.
The other post offices involved are: Upwell, Swaffham, Downham Market, Holt, Wells next the Sea, and Stalham and Acle near Norwich.
I used to live in Watton. It's actually quite a decent sized town - it's not some minor village. Nor are Swaffham, Downham Market, Holt, Wells, Stalham and Acle.
In fact, if you take out the large cities in Norfolk : Norwich, Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, Thetford then that's a list of "medium sized" towns in the next tier below. It's alarming that something the size of Swaffham needs this.
I cannot quite see what this achieves apart from allowing Post Offices to take some admin jobs (like checking driving docs) off local Plod.
Sure, the Police might end up being there when you can talk to them, but are they going to be there any more frequently than they are at the local Cop Shop ?
Isn't their time likely to be wasted by people whinging about trivia that the "nerve" required to visit a Cop Shop officially might block.
8Pack said:
Think you're a little bit out of order there Street. You presumably work alongside Firemen in your job and despite all the the present security alerts, theirs is a far more dangerous job than yours and HAVE to FIGHT for their wage rises. I'm surprised by your "jibe". 8Pack.
It's not a jibe as such...I just don't think any 'Emergency service' should strike, that's all.
As for dangers...I would disagree...more police are injured and killed every year than fire personnel and that figure is a lot higher...
Street
Streetcop said:
Think you're a little bit out of order there Street. You presumably work alongside Firemen in your job and despite all the the present security alerts, theirs is a far more dangerous job than yours and HAVE to FIGHT for their wage rises. I'm surprised by your "jibe". 8Pack.
It's not a jibe as such...I just don't think any 'Emergency service' should strike, that's all.
Street
Then maybe the Firefighters should be given the same conditions of employment protection that YOU enjoy then?
8Pack said:
Think you're a little bit out of order there Street. You presumably work alongside Firemen in your job and despite all the the present security alerts, theirs is a far more dangerous job than yours and HAVE to FIGHT for their wage rises. I'm surprised by your "jibe". 8Pack.
I beg to differ there.......theres no doubting that their job is dangerous but you cant compare it to everyday policing.
8Pack said:
Then maybe the Firefighters should be given the same conditions of employment protection that YOU enjoy then?
They wouldnt like that.....even if i needed a second job,i wouldnt have the time.
Theres no doubt that they should or should i say...we all should get more money but they are totally different jobs and cant be compared.
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