Volunteers could soon be helping officers tackle crime in South Holland under plans by the new police and crime commissioner.
Alan Hardwick, who took up the role in November, has just issued his police and crime plan for Lincolnshire, which outlines his ideas to tackle crime in the county.
In it, he says he wants to expand the county’s special constabulary and volunteer PCSOs by 1,000, as well as maintain current police numbers by recruiting 23 new officers.
He said: “I believe I have a plan that will see crime reduce, deliver a fair deal for the people of Lincolnshire and provide police and services that are there when you need them.
“With the help of the Chief Constable I am introducing Volunteer Police Community Support Officers – as part of a wider plan to offer more opportunities for the people of Lincolnshire to make a real contribution to the policing of our county.”
The five-year plan has now gone online and residents will be able to comment on it until the end of January.
It also includes plans for police officers to wear uniform at all times when on duty and for all police vehicles to be marked – unless there are operational reasons not to – to help make police more visible after concerns were raised that there are not enough officers on the streets.
Mr Hardwick has also vowed not to close any police stations where there is a “demonstrable operational/community need” and some stations could be shared with the community to help sustain them.
In the coming weeks he will announce how he will fund community safety initiatives and projects to support victims of crime.
And following on from his election pledge, Mr Hardwick as also reiterated his “zero tolerance” attitude to street drinking, which he says is the cause of much of the county’s anti-social behaviour problems.