Residents complain to chief constable

9:25am Saturday 4th October 2008

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ANOTHER residents' group in Trowbridge has written to the Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police to complain about a lack of police support on the estate it represents.

Studley Green Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) decided to write to Brian Moore at a meeting on Tuesday night.

It follows an article in last week's Wiltshire Times, in which we reported how Longmeadow TARA had written to the Chief Constable complaining of similar problems.

During this week's meeting there were complaints over anti-social behaviour in a children's play area on the estate and concern expressed over the levels of policing.

District and town councillor Jeff Osborn, who attended the meeting, said: "There is the same concern that the Neighbourhood Policing Teams are not now operating anywhere near as effectively.

"Too many police and PCSOs are being sent on courses or diverted on to duties elsewhere.

"Each NPT is meant to have a Police Constable and two PCSOs. It seems that some are down to just one PCSO."

Cllr Osborn said residents felt local police were doing their best but a lack of resources from Wiltshire Police headquarters had led to the problems.

The Studley Green TARA decided to write to Mr Moore to express its grave dissatisfaction at the decline in the service of the Trowrbidge NPT.

Cllr Osborn added: "On this showing the police are losing a lot of goodwill in Trowbridge. Local neighbourhood groups feel that the Chief Constable needs to know this so that he can remedy the situation."