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Table of Contents
Working the Beat
Police throughout NSW will be progressively
working the beat during the 1990's - getting to know you better in order to
improve safety in your area and to reduce crime.
Building on the work which NSW Police already
do BEAT POLICING opens up the lines of communication between the community and
the police.
It enables people to work together to solve or
contribute to solutions for problems in their community.
What is Beat
Policing
Beat policing was established in Surry Hills & Liverpool
in May 1988 when constables attached to the station were given the
responsibility for working geographic areas called beats.
Beat include homes, schools, businesses and community
centres.
The concept is quite different from the previous methods of
foot patrolling where officers patrolled areas randomly.
Now beat officers, who are experienced constables and
sergeants, are responsible for a specific are with support from the patrol,
detectives and specialist units.
Beat policing is not just walking the streets but
interacting with the local community to improve their quality of
life.
You can get to know your local beat officers well as they
walk the "beat" talking to people in your street.
Is It Successful?
In general terms beat policing has already had
some outstanding successes in several patrols throughout the state.
This success has taken the form of increased
arrests in many areas which in turn has generated an increased feeling of
personal safety.
In some beats where police use public
transport to and from their beats, this feeling of safety has spread to
commuters.
Through programs such as Neighbourhood Watch, beat
police have worked with their local community to promote crime prevention and
the exchange of help and information.
Young people too have been able to form a
relationship with their local beat police built on trust and
understanding.
What can I do?
As part of the NSW Police Service's Community
Based Policing initiatives beat policing is just one of the many programs
designed to improve your safety.
Other programs include Neighbourhood Watch (involving
Rural Watch), Safety House
Scheme, Youth
Clubs, Community Aid Panels, and the Community Consultative
Committees.
By Becoming involved in these community based
schemes you can join a powerful partnership with police which many people have
found has had a significant impact on reducing crime in their neighbourhood.
The Future
Beat Policing is designed to specifically target your area
and problems peculiar to your community.
More than anything police rely on information and
co-operation from the community.
Beat policing is you and your local police WORKING TOGETHER
to combat crime in your local area and increase your level of personal
safety.
Page Design © Ian Hunter.
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