CATs get more eyes in fight against crime (From Warrington Guardian)

CATs get more eyes in fight against crime

THE amount of community police officers has increased by 500 per cent.

The Community Action Team (CAT) has increased from nine staff two years ago to 55 today.

CAT officers now cover seven sectors in Halton in an initiative entitled 'Blue Lamp'.

Every month, police will meet the public in each sector to discuss the top three priorities for that area.

Officers believe this approach will solve long-term problems and cut the workload for police on 'blue light' calls.

Head of CAT, Insp Chris Clark, said: "We are giving the response police a break to get on with their own job.

"When you call the police it's not right to expect that we will get a response from a patrol if it would be better dealt with by us.

"If it's long a standing neighbour dispute for example sending a patrol out is probably not the best way to deal with it."

A simple but typical example of the work the team does was getting bushes in Widnes town centre cleared away.

They were being used by shoplifters, drug addicts and underage drinkers - three separate problems that would normally use up a lot of police time.

Other recent success stories include stopping traders scamming the elderly by charging them up to £1,500 for a square metre of tarmac and working with the RSPCA to arrest a Runcorn man suspected of arranging illegal dog fights.

Insp Clark said: "It's not just about law enforcement, it's about solving problems."

The newly expanded community team will also assist the CID.

"If you get a major incident it means that we can put a lot of staff on to the streets very quickly," said Insp Clark. "That's important because often in major incidents the first five or six hours are critical."

Officers joining CAT are taught a new approach to policing.

"Initially there's some difficulty because if we have had people whose whole idea of policing is to sit in the patrol car and respond, they are not having to think about things," explained Insp Clark.

"When they come into the CAT very often there's a bit of a perplexed look on their face because we are saying 'here's a problem, have a look at it then come back and discuss the solution with us'."