OFFICERS return to adailybeatin Alsager from Monday, in a move which will also see the town's police station returned to use.
Two police constables from the Community Action Team (CAT), Dave Allen and Mark Guildford, will take to the streets following mounting concern among residents about crime levels.
They will be based in the town's police station, which has been closed to the public for a number of years, but will spend most of the time patrolling the streets in a bid to allay the fear of crime with a visible police presence.
CAT inspector Phil Hodgson said he is confident of a positive impact.
He said: 'We have been looking to expand the CAT team and we are aware that people in Alsager have felt somewhat neglected.
'In truth, from our point of view we have increased our coverage in the Alsager area, but we feel it is important to listen to the views of local people.
'This move will give people an actual visible presence of police officers in the area, and they will know that there is always an officer around the corner.'
Insp Hodgson wanted to make it clear that the two officers will spend the vast majority of their time on the beat.
He said: 'We do not expect these two officers to be sat in Alsager Police Station waiting for people to come and speak to them. The station is not open in that sense.
'They will be out on patrol providing highly visible police presence, while at the same time continuing to provide long-term solutions to crime and dis-order. I am hopeful this will have an immediate impact on crime and dis-order in the area.'
Insp Hodgson denied speculation that the move has come as a direct result of incidents, which include a £100,000 arson attack on Congleton Borough Council's depot last month.
He said: 'This is no knee-jerk reaction. We have been aware that people want police on the streets of Alsager for some time now, through a series of meetings and forums. This has been in the pipeline for some time. It is not a trial and we are live from August 4.'
A similar scheme in Middlewich, which saw the police station returned to use with CAT officers based there, has been successful and it is hoped Alsager will follow in the same vein.
Alsager Town Council chairwoman Doris Bould said: 'I think it is very good news, and the fact that they have been askednot tositinthe policestationandto actually go out on the beat is excellent.
'The presence in the village will be much appreciated, I think especially by elderlypeople.Iam suretherewasn'tso much vandalism in the past when bobbies were on the beat, so it's fingerscrossed it will act as a deterrent now.'
